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Another Arab Citizen Flees to Lebanon without Israeli Army Detection

A general view shows central Tel Aviv backed by the Mediterranean Sea January 23, 2012. REUTER/ Nir Elias
A general view shows central Tel Aviv backed by the Mediterranean Sea January 23, 2012. REUTER/ Nir Elias
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Another Arab Citizen Flees to Lebanon without Israeli Army Detection

A general view shows central Tel Aviv backed by the Mediterranean Sea January 23, 2012. REUTER/ Nir Elias
A general view shows central Tel Aviv backed by the Mediterranean Sea January 23, 2012. REUTER/ Nir Elias

Another Arab citizen from Israel has managed to cross the border into Lebanon without the Israeli army detecting them. The Israeli army was only aware of the situation after Lebanese media had reported on the matter.

The Israeli army spokesman said that intelligence services were examining Lebanese reports about an unidentified individual slipping across the border fence from Israel to Lebanon on Sunday.

According to the reports, the individual was arrested by the Lebanese intelligence after crossing the border in the Marj Oyoun valley.

He is currently being investigated by the Lebanese judiciary.

This is the second time within a week that a person crossed the border fence from Israeli territory into Lebanon.

Last week, Lebanese media reported that another person entered through the border with Israel.

The person crossed the border near the village of Dahira, which is parallel to the village of Aramsha on the Israeli side in the Western Galilee. It was reported in this incident as well that the Lebanese intelligence caught the suspect and put him under investigation.

Lebanese media also reported that the person who crossed the border last week is Farid Nizar Taher, a 30-year-old Arab Israeli.

The Israeli army said that “a person has been identified who crossed the border fence from Israeli territory into Lebanese territory. A dialogue is taking place in the coordination and liaison channels.”

An Israeli army spokesman revealed that his country was contacting intermediaries like UNIFIL to return the citizen home.

Last March, forces from the Israeli army discovered that a young man had crossed the border into Lebanon, so soldiers pursued him and arrested him while he was on Lebanese soil and returned him to the country, where the intelligence services interrogated and arrested him.

Borders between Israel and Lebanon extend over 145 kilometers, from Ras al-Naqoura on the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Shebaa Farms and Mount Hermon in the east.

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Arab World

Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
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Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)

UN envoy Hans Grundberg is working to address the Yemeni crisis, but Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), has questioned the Houthi militias’ trustworthiness for peace.

During Grundberg’s visit to Aden, the interim capital, Al-Alimi told him that the Houthis may not be a reliable partner. Grundberg had called for “constructive dialogue” to ease tensions.

Yemen’s state media reported that Al-Alimi received an update on Grundberg’s recent talks and his focus on reducing tensions and restarting the peace process, which has been disrupted by “Houthi terrorist groups supported by Iran.”

Grundberg thanked Yemen’s PLC and government for their work to reduce tensions and prevent a return to widespread conflict, according to SABA News Agency.

On his part, al-Alimi reaffirmed support for the UN’s efforts to restart a political process based on a Saudi roadmap.

He also supported UN efforts to address the worsening humanitarian situation caused by Houthi attacks on oil facilities and shipping lanes, which he said are backed by Iran.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for continued local, regional, and international attention on Houthi actions, including human rights abuses and measures against Yemenia Airways that worsen humanitarian conditions and damage the airline’s reputation.

The Houthi group, backed by Iran, is holding four Yemenia Airways planes in Sanaa and blocking the airline from accessing around $120 million in its bank accounts.

The PLC chief said a recent failed Houthi attack on the Safir oil facility in Marib shows the Houthis are not a reliable partner for peace. He accused them of prioritizing their supporters’ interests over Yemen’s needs.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for international unity and listening to Yemenis’ calls for stability and peace, in line with UN resolutions, especially UNSC Resolution 2216.

Grundberg, who has not reported progress on economic issues between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, urged for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. His office stated that he and Al-Alimi discussed the urgent need for a broader dialogue to ease tensions across Yemen.

Grundberg has expressed concern over UN staff held by the Houthis and renewed the UN Secretary-General’s call for their immediate release.

The UN diplomat ended his visit to Muscat, where he met with Omani officials and Houthi negotiator Mohammad Abdelsalam. He stressed the urgent need for de-escalation in Yemen and urged the Houthis to prioritize the well-being of the Yemeni people.

Grundberg also called for the immediate release of the detained UN staff during his meetings. Before Muscat, he discussed de-escalation efforts with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammad Al Jaber in Riyadh.

In Riyadh, Grundberg met with the ambassadors of the five permanent UN Security Council members, highlighting the need for a unified approach to support peace talks and a ceasefire in Yemen.