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Investigation Into ISIS’ Abduction of Lebanese Soldiers

A relative of Lebanese soldiers, who were captured by ISIS reacts in Beirut, Lebanon August 27, 2017. REUTERS/ Mohamed Azakir
A relative of Lebanese soldiers, who were captured by ISIS reacts in Beirut, Lebanon August 27, 2017. REUTERS/ Mohamed Azakir
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Investigation Into ISIS’ Abduction of Lebanese Soldiers

A relative of Lebanese soldiers, who were captured by ISIS reacts in Beirut, Lebanon August 27, 2017. REUTERS/ Mohamed Azakir
A relative of Lebanese soldiers, who were captured by ISIS reacts in Beirut, Lebanon August 27, 2017. REUTERS/ Mohamed Azakir

The case of Lebanese soldiers kidnapped and slain by ISIS has witnessed rapid developments whether on the level of an internal investigation launched by the Lebanese army leadership or the judiciary supervised by the military prosecution.

The families of the martyrs are also planning to file lawsuits against all those who stood behind the developments in the northeastern border town of Arsal in 2014 that led to the capture of their relatives and the alleged negligence in the negotiations aimed at releasing the soldiers.

The investigation is not restricted to the abduction and murder of the servicemen. It actually expands to cover the clashes of Arsal on August 2, 2014 that left dozens of Lebanese soldiers dead and wounded.

A military source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the internal investigation of the military institution aims to determine those responsible for the events and to know if the army’s operation in Arsal had a miscalculation.

“The investigation has no political motives.” The military institution wouldn’t be the competent authority to tackle the case if the probe witnesses political intervention, the source added.

Some political parties insist to hold former Prime Minister Tammam Salam responsible for the events in Arsal as well as considering ex-Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji had not taken steps on the ground to free the soldiers immediately after their abduction.

Hussein Youssef, father of martyred soldier Mohammed, told Asharq Al-Awsat that now after they have overcome the shock, the families of the slain troops intend to file a lawsuit in the coming days against those who caused the Arsal events and contributed in the kidnapping of the soldiers as well as those who showed negligence in the negotiations aimed at releasing them.

Youssef, a spokesperson for the families, added: “We are not making accusations against anyone but we are going to file one lawsuit because we have one case.”

It seems that families of the martyrs will not disregard the deal that exited ISIS outside the Lebanese border area and helped transport its militants to Syria’s Deir Ezzor.

The ISIS militants left the Lebanon-Syria border region on August 28 under an evacuation deal negotiated between the extremist group and “Hezbollah” following information provided by the terrorists on the location of the troops' remains on the outskirts of Arsal.

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Arab World

Hezbollah Chief Accuses Lebanese Authorities of Working ‘in the Interest of What Israel Wants’

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
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Hezbollah Chief Accuses Lebanese Authorities of Working ‘in the Interest of What Israel Wants’

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Sunday said moves to disarm the group in Lebanon are an "Israeli-American plan,” accusing Israel of failing to abide by a ceasefire agreement sealed last year.

Under heavy US pressure and fears of expanded Israeli strikes, the Lebanese military is expected to complete Hezbollah's disarmament south of the Litani River -- located about 30 kilometers from the border with Israel -- by the end of the year.

It will then tackle disarming the Iran-backed movement in the rest of the country.

"Disarmament is an Israeli-American plan," Qassem said.

"To demand exclusive arms control while Israel is committing aggression and America is imposing its will on Lebanon, stripping it of its power, means that you are not working in Lebanon's interest, but rather in the interest of what Israel wants."

Despite a November 2024 ceasefire that was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has kept up strikes on Lebanon and has maintained troops in five areas it deems strategic.

According to the agreement, Hezbollah was required to pull its forces north of the Litani River and have its military infrastructure in the vacated area dismantled.

Israel has questioned the Lebanese military's effectiveness and has accused Hezbollah of rearming, while the group itself has rejected calls to surrender its weapons.

"The deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River was required only if Israel had adhered to its commitments... to halting the aggression, withdrawing, releasing prisoners, and having reconstruction commence," Qassem said in a televised address.

"With the Israeli enemy not implementing any of the steps of the agreement... Lebanon is no longer required to take any action on any level before the Israelis commit to what they are obligated to do."

Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal told a military meeting on Tuesday "the army is in the process of finishing the first phase of its plan.”

He said the army is carefully planning "for the subsequent phases" of disarmament.

Arab World

Israel Army Ends Crackdown on West Bank Town after Attack

Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which said it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian militants in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Sunday, February 2, 2025. © Majdi Mohammed, AP
Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which said it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian militants in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Sunday, February 2, 2025. © Majdi Mohammed, AP
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Israel Army Ends Crackdown on West Bank Town after Attack

Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which said it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian militants in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Sunday, February 2, 2025. © Majdi Mohammed, AP
Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which said it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian militants in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Sunday, February 2, 2025. © Majdi Mohammed, AP

The Israeli military said on Sunday it had ended its operation in a town in the occupied West Bank that it had sealed off after a Palestinian from the area killed two Israelis.

Around 50 residents of Qabatiya were briefly detained during the two-day operation, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, quoting the town's mayor Ahmed Zakarneh.

The attacker's father and two brothers remained in custody, it added.

The military launched the operation on Friday, shortly after a 34-year-old Palestinian fatally stabbed an 18-year-old Israeli woman and ran over a man in his sixties with his vehicle.

When contacted by AFP on Sunday morning, the military confirmed the end of its operation in the area.

Defense Minister Israel Katz previously said the army had completely sealed off the town.

Wafa also reported that Israeli troops had withdrawn from Qabatiya, near the city of Jenin.

Zakarneh said the town had been in a state of "total paralysis" during the military activity.

Israeli army bulldozers tore up pavement on several streets and erected roadblocks to halt traffic, he said, adding that around 50 houses were searched.

Wafa reported that a school had been turned into a detention and interrogation center.

AFPTV footage filmed on Saturday showed Israeli soldiers carrying automatic rifles and patrolling the streets, where several armoured vehicles were deployed.

Shops were closed, though men and children were seen walking through the village.

On Sunday, the Israeli army said it had sealed off the assailant's home and was finalising "the procedures required for its demolition".

Israeli authorities argue that demolishing the homes of Palestinians who carry out attacks against Israelis has a deterrent effect.

Critics, however, condemn the practice as collective punishment that leaves families homeless.

Arab World

Arab League Council Holds Extraordinary Session on Latest Developments in Somalia

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Council Holds Extraordinary Session on Latest Developments in Somalia

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

At the request of the Federal Republic of Somalia and with the support of Arab League member states, the Arab League Council on Sunday began its extraordinary session at the league’s General Secretariat, at the level of permanent representatives and under the chairmanship of the United Arab Emirates, to discuss developments regarding the Israeli occupation authorities’ declaration on mutual recognition with the Somaliland region.

The Kingdom’s delegation to the meeting was headed by its Permanent Representative to the Arab League Ambassador Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Matar, SPA reported.

The meeting is discussing ways to strengthen the unified Arab position in addressing this step, to affirm full solidarity with Somalia, and to support its legitimate institutions in a manner that contributes to preserving security and stability in the region.

The meeting also aims to reaffirm the Arab League’s categorical rejection of any unilateral measures or decisions that could undermine Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to emphasize commitment to the principles of international law and the relevant resolutions of the Arab League and the African Union.