Israel Recuperates ‘Spy Eagle’ from Syria

Israel Recuperates ‘Spy Eagle’ from Syria
TT

Israel Recuperates ‘Spy Eagle’ from Syria

Israel Recuperates ‘Spy Eagle’ from Syria

Israeli media outlets reported on Friday that a rare eagle was recuperated after it crossed from the occupied side of Syria’s Golan Heights into opposition-controlled areas, where it was suspected of being an Israeli “spying eagle.”

According to some reports, the bird was captured by rebel forces when it crossed the Israeli border.

In the past few days, several activists on social media shared photos of the eagle, while others wrote that the bird “carried Israeli advanced spying devices to photograph opposition-held areas,” in southern Syria.

However, Israeli sources denied the claims and said the eagle is a rare bird that flew from the Golan Heights Gamla Nature Reserve.

Israeli reports said the bird carries a GPS device to track its movement.

The Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper clarified on Friday that “the vultures—as evidenced by the tracking devices affixed to some of them to trace their movements—occasionally fly over the border. When they do, they are sometimes caught and the electronics attached to their leg are often suspected of being espionage devices.”

Later, environmental activists secured the bird’s release after they mediated with a Syrian opposition faction fighting in the area where the eagle was found.

The bird was returned to Israel this week by a third party, probably linked to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

“News of its capture reached animal activists, who went into action and mediated between the Israeli army and the rebel organization on the bird's behalf. Thanks to their involvement, the vulture was returned home Tuesday by a third party,” the newspaper said on its website.



Lebanon’s Berri: Resolution 1701 Stands Unchanged

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri meets with US envoy Amos Hochstein during his recent visit to Beirut (AFP)
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri meets with US envoy Amos Hochstein during his recent visit to Beirut (AFP)
TT

Lebanon’s Berri: Resolution 1701 Stands Unchanged

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri meets with US envoy Amos Hochstein during his recent visit to Beirut (AFP)
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri meets with US envoy Amos Hochstein during his recent visit to Beirut (AFP)

Lebanon is monitoring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to US President Joe Biden’s push for a ceasefire in southern Lebanon.

Biden has sent advisors Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk to Tel Aviv to discuss the matter with Netanyahu, marking what Lebanese officials see as the last chance for progress before the US presidential election on Nov. 5.

Lebanese leaders, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati, are cautious about predicting results.

Mikati did not comment after his recent meetings with US advisors.

However, Berri highlighted Lebanon’s prior agreement with Hochstein to a ceasefire, deploying the Lebanese army in the south, and enforcing UN Resolution 1701.

Berri reaffirmed that Lebanon won’t alter these terms, saying, “What’s agreed is agreed; Resolution 1701 stands unchanged.”

The speaker clarified that Lebanon has fulfilled its commitments and is now waiting for Netanyahu’s response, noting that Lebanon is ready to implement the ceasefire if Hochstein can secure Netanyahu’s agreement.

“The ball is now in Netanyahu’s court,” Berri said, pointing out that Netanyahu has previously agreed to and then withdrawn from ceasefire deals.

According to sources, Hezbollah is fully behind Berri’s mandate for a ceasefire.

Hezbollah’s newly appointed Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, recently confirmed the party’s support.

Qassem is closely following developments with the party’s military leadership, while Hezbollah’s MPs continue discussions with other blocs to clarify their position.

Lebanese sources stressed that reaching a ceasefire is critical and must happen as soon as possible, asserting that Netanyahu should not leverage the situation in Gaza as a pretext to avoid a southern ceasefire.

As Biden’s envoys prepare to meet with Netanyahu, Lebanese officials remain focused on whether this effort will result in an agreement.

The ongoing clashes near the southern Lebanese town of Khiam, where Hezbollah is actively resisting Israeli advances, have intensified the situation, making the outcome of these discussions crucial.