Residents drive past collapsed houses, destroyed by Israeli military strikes, as they return to inspect their homes in the village of Bir al-Salasil, in southern Lebanon, on June 24, 2026. (Credit: Fadel Itani/AFP)
SOUTH LEBANON — After more than two weeks of searching, security sources have confirmed to our correspondent in southern Lebanon that rescue teams and the Lebanese Army have found three people — one seriously injured person and two bodies — believed to be among the four people who went missing on June 15 in two separate areas. They had been returning to the South following a cease-fire in Lebanon included as part of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States.
The four people who went missing are Mohammad Hassan (aged 34), Ali Qachmar (aged 39), Hadi Reqqa (aged 19), and Jawad Bazzi (aged 19), whose relatives had organized a sit-in last week outside the Grand Serail in Beirut to demand information about their fate.
Presence of bones
Relatives had organized a sit-in last week in front of the Grand Serail in Beirut, demanding information about their fate. Teams involved in the most recent search — following a report of discovered "bones" by a local shepherd — were made up of rescuers from the Islamic Health Committee and the Islamic Mission Scouts Association. "The search teams noticed traces of blood in the area, which led them to inspect a house near the valley. Upon entering this house, which was unoccupied, they found Mohammad Hassan, seriously injured," he continued.
According to the source, Hassan explained that he “was riding a motorbike with one of his companions when an Israeli drone targeted their vehicle with a missile, whilst a second missile struck the other motorbike.”
He reportedly then “managed, despite his injuries, to crawl to a house near the valley where he took refuge.” Next to him were a few biscuits, according to the source.
Hassan's identity was confirmed to our correspondent by his wife Farah. He was found alive and taken to hospital, suffering from serious injuries, one of which resulted in the amputation of a leg, as well as medical complications arising from the long period during which he remained untreated. She said she had gone to the hospital to check on him and to fully ascertain his state of health.
The two victims have not yet been identified. The fate of the fourth person remains unknown at this stage.
