People record with their mobile phones the impact of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in the southern Lebanese village of Ain Qana. AFP
In a statement, the group said Israeli occupation forces slipped into the town, located in the Hasbaya district, under cover of darkness and kidnapped its official for the Hasbaya and Marjayoun areas, Atwi Atwi, from his home at dawn. The statement added that the forces assaulted his family and then took him to an unknown location.
The group held Israel fully responsible for any harm that may befall Atwi and described the incident as part of ongoing violations and brutal Israeli attacks against Lebanon.
“These Israeli actions aim to intimidate residents and force them to abandon their villages and land,” the statement said.
The Israeli army confirmed on Monday that it had arrested a “senior operative” from the Islamic Group in the Jabal Rous area of southern Lebanon.
Since a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel took effect in late November 2024, Israel has carried out thousands of violations, resulting in hundreds of Lebanese being killed or wounded, as well as widespread destruction.
The agreement was intended to end an Israeli offensive launched against Lebanon in October 2023, which later escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024, leaving more than 4,000 people dead and over 17,000 wounded.
Israel continues to violate the agreement by occupying five hills in southern Lebanon that it seized during the latest war.
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