Lebanese Army warns against apps used by Israel to recruit 'agents'

The Lebanese Army warned citizens Thursday about the "danger" of certain applications or networks used by Israel to "contact and recruit" agents to work for it.

"The army command warns citizens against the danger posed by suspicious applications and the irresponsible use of social media, as the Israeli enemy secretly exploits these to contact and recruit them as agents," explained the statement published on the army's website. "Communicating with the enemy through these applications exposes citizens to legal action in accordance with Articles 278 and 285 of the Penal Code, relating to crimes of contact with the enemy and the establishment of illegal ties with it."

Article 278 punishes contact between a Lebanese or a resident in Lebanon and a national or resident of an enemy country, and Article 285 refers explicitly to "commercial relations, or any other form of contact with the enemy." These laws have gained new significance in the wake of the latest war between Hezbollah and Israel, as the conflict highlighted major security flaws within Hezbollah. Several members of the organization admitted that the Israeli army had managed to infiltrate the party and its popular base.

At the end of January, four Lebanese accused of working for Israeli intelligence were arrested in less than a week. In mid-May, a singer of religious songs close to Hezbollah but not a member was arrested for the same reason.

Such a statement from the army is not unprecedented. In December 2020, for example, the army warned against attempts at communication with Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, via Facebook.

The army's statement highlighted "the importance of acting responsibly and vigilantly in the face of the Israeli enemy plans, which continue their aggressions against our country, target citizens in various regions, and seek by all means to undermine the security and stability of the homeland." Since the cease-fire that took effect on Nov. 27, 2024, the Israeli army has been bombing southern Lebanon almost daily, killing more than 190 people, both militants and civilians, according to our count.