Israel uses Lebanese civilians as bargaining chips
Israel uses Lebanese civilians as bargaining chips Lebanese farmer Saleh* woke up before dawn on 3 September to harvest his fig trees in the southern Lebanese border village of Halta. When he stepped out and saw lights outside his neighbours' house, abandoned during the war, Saleh knew an Israeli army unit was there. The Israeli soldiers were searching houses in the village and called three…
In the early morning hours of September 3, 2026, Israeli soldiers conducted house searches in the Lebanese border village of Halta. The residents, including Saleh, a local farmer, were awoken by the light from the soldiers' activities. The soldiers approached three residents and demanded they come outside for questioning. Over the course of several hours, the residents were subjected to interrogations.
Following the interrogations, the Israeli army took three men, one of whom was Hatem Abdel-Aal, a member of the village's municipal council. The army returned Abdel-Aal around midnight, instructing him to return to them on foot, without a car. Despite his objections, Abdel-Aal complied with their request.
Written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Israel uses Lebanese civilians as bargaining chips middleeasteye.net
