Seven detained by 'Israel' handed over to UNIFIL

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Dec 2024 23:49

After the transfer, the Lebanese Red Cross, alongside the International Committee of the Red Cross, transported the individuals to a hospital for medical examinations.

An United Nations flag waves on the top of a tower in a base of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the Palestinian-Lebanese border as seen from northern Palestine, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Seven individuals detained by "Israel" were handed over to United Nations peacekeepers at the Lebanese border on Sunday, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency.

"The Israeli enemy handed over seven freed citizens, who were detained by the enemy after the ceasefire," the NNA reported, adding that the exchange occurred at Ras al-Naqoura and involved coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

After the transfer, the Lebanese Red Cross, alongside the International Committee of the Red Cross, transported the individuals to a hospital for medical examinations.

They were later taken to a military intelligence office in Sidon for further investigation, according to the NNA.

The handover follows a ceasefire agreement reached on November 27. Under the truce, the Lebanese army is tasked with deploying in the south alongside UN peacekeepers, while "Israel" is expected to withdraw its forces over a 60-day period.

Hezbollah, in turn, is required to move its troops north of the Litani River and dismantle its military infrastructure in the region.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high amid frequent violations reportedly carried out by "Israel." On Sunday, the NNA accused "Israel" of bombing the village of Kfar Kila and destroying houses in the Bint Jbeil area, calling it part of "repeated attacks on occupied southern villages."

UNIFIL confirmed its role in facilitating the handover of the seven individuals but did not comment on the ongoing accusations of violations.

Priority is Israeli withdrawal within 60-day deadline

On Friday, Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Ali Fayyad reiterated the need for caution in the current phase, stating that the Resistance is not being drawn into a military confrontation over Israeli violations.

He reiterated that the primary objective remains "Israel's" withdrawal from Lebanese territory without the occupation offering any excuses for it exceeding the 60-day deadline.

Fayyad pointed out that significant questions are emerging in light of the major regional shifts and the impact of the recent Israeli aggression on Lebanon. He criticized "Israel" for its "unchecked" attacks on Syria and Lebanon, noting that the entity receives international cover, with no significant condemnation from Western nations or action from global institutions, which remain ineffective.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he stressed that the ongoing situation reinforces the Resistance’s stance against the unrelenting Israeli aggression, describing the Israeli entity not as a "peaceful lamb" but as a "ruthless, savage wolf" that continues to perpetrate violence and destruction without justification.

Fayyad also condemned the Israeli ongoing attacks on southern Lebanese villages, the destruction of homes, and the targeting of areas previously unreachable, alongside drone strikes and air raids.