“Israeli” Commandos Kidnap Lebanese Citizen from Batroun Without Any Obstacle: Questions for the Army, Security Agencies, and German Navy, published in Al-Akhbar today, November 3rd, 2024 (1/3):
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In an operation that was not surprising in its nature, an “israeli” commando unit carried out a landing early Friday on the coast of Batroun in the north. A special force of about 20 people dressed in the uniform of a Lebanese security agency—accompanied by civilians whose involvement remains unclear, whether as part of the unit or as Lebanese collaborators who aided the force—moved towards a building containing several chalets. There, they stormed an apartment and abducted citizen Imad Amhaz.

Following the exposure of the operation yesterday, the occupation army announced that it had kidnapped a member of Hezbollah’s naval force, with the aim of obtaining information on its maritime operations. The “Axios” website quoted an “israeli” official saying that Amhaz, who was training as a maritime captain, was allegedly involved in transporting weapons to Hezbollah from Syria to Lebanon by sea.

The operation sent shockwaves through certain official circles, though silence prevailed in the offices of senior figures within the military and security agencies, while “sovereigntists” maintained silence, awaiting the results of investigations. The government, however, expressed its protest through a statement by Prime Minister Najib Mikati and a clarification by Minister of Public Works Ali Hamieh that the abducted person was undergoing training at a civilian institute for operating commercial ships and yachts. The building’s owners stated that Amhaz had rented the chalet about a month ago.

Questions Directed at Whom?

The operation occurred within the context of logical assessments, amidst reports of the enemy preparing for airborne and maritime operations targeting leaders of the resistance and Iranian diplomats in the capital, along with warnings of the enemy’s intentions to conduct similar operations in areas concerning the land front. However, knowledgeable sources raised several questions regarding what happened. These questions were not directed at any specific party but rather at all official bodies, primarily the Lebanese army, security agencies, and the UN peacekeeping forces, “UNIFIL,” particularly the Germans, who oversee activity in Lebanese territorial waters along the Lebanese coast.

According to sources, the observations can be summarized as follows:

1. The targeted area has no military or security presence of Hezbollah and cannot be considered aligned with the party in terms of its social, political, or sectarian environment.

2. Only the enemy has claimed, almost officially, that the abducted citizen is a member of Hezbollah’s naval unit, further alleging he was transporting weapons to Hezbollah from Syria via the sea. However, there is no account or confirmation of these claims, especially since the man had previously completed maritime captain courses two years ago and returned two months ago for another course, with an intention to apply to the naval unit in the Lebanese army.

3. The area where the operation took place is entirely under the control of the Lebanese army and official security agencies, raising questions about the role of these forces in confronting such breaches, especially given the army’s awareness of the enemy’s history of maritime landings and the nature of the ongoing confrontation with the enemy that requires anticipation of similar operations. Hence, even routine security measures along the shore could have disrupted such an operation.

The enemy used the uniform of a local security agency, spoke in a Lebanese dialect, and erased the surveillance camera recordings.

“Israeli” Commandos Kidnap Lebanese Citizen from Batroun Without Any Obstacle: Questions for the Army, Security Agencies, and German Navy, published in Al-Akhbar today, November 3rd, 2024 (2/3):
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4. The operation occurred in a maritime area under the protection of international forces, specifically under the authority of the naval force led by Germany, prompting direct questions to the German side about the role of its naval intelligence and radars operating along the coast. It is known that the German naval force closely monitors the Lebanese coast, especially in southern areas, at “israel’s” request, to prevent any maritime infiltration. The German side also regularly inspects sailors’ and fishermen’s activities along the southern coastline up to the Beirut port and provides periodic information on boat movements at sea, particularly those transporting unauthorized migrants to Europe. This question gains further legitimacy following the German forces’ downing of a resistance drone on October 17 as it approached “israel’s” territory over the sea, knowing that the enemy, equipped with the most advanced air defense systems, persistently faces challenges in preemptively detecting the resistance’s drones.

5. Did the events make Lebanese citizens feel more secure about international and Western forces protecting Lebanon and preventing enemy aggression under a “broad” mandate for implementing Resolution 1701? Should we remain silent and accept this just because it earns us the favor of the international community?

6. The area falls within a range of American military movements, officially or unofficially, to secure “evacuation bases for its personnel and military staff” or for activities monitored by the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon in coordination with Cyprus. Following “Al-Akhbar’s” revelation yesterday about construction activities off the Dbayeh coast, which reportedly lack official authorization from the Ministry of Public Works and without formal acknowledgment from the army, it is essential to question the stance of “sovereign” forces and figures who advocate for preserving Lebanese sovereignty regarding these incidents. Do they consider this part of a war that does not concern them?

“Israeli” Commandos Kidnap Lebanese Citizen from Batroun Without Any Obstacle: Questions for the Army, Security Agencies, and German Navy, published in Al-Akhbar today, November 3rd, 2024 (3/3):
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What Happened [so far]?

As of last night, no official statement was issued by the military leadership, except for the announcement of Prime Minister Mikati’s “monitoring” of the case and his calls with Army Commander General Joseph Aoun and UNIFIL Command, which confirmed ongoing investigations in coordination with the army. The Prime Minister also requested Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib to file a complaint with the UN Security Council.

UNIFIL, for its part, issued a statement through the Deputy Spokesperson, stating that “UNIFIL is not involved in facilitating any abduction or any violation of Lebanese sovereignty” and considered that “the dissemination of misinformation and false rumors is irresponsible and endangers peacekeeping forces.”

The unofficial account indicates that an “israeli” commando team infiltrated via the sea in the Batroun area, abducted Amhaz, who is studying at the Institute of Scientific and Maritime Research. According to estimates by security agencies, the “israeli” unit consisted of around 25 personnel, including sailors, divers, and fighters, who transferred with full weaponry to an apartment near the coast, where they abducted Amhaz, who was alone, then took him to the shore and departed on fast boats into open waters. Initial information indicates that the building owner awoke as the unit entered the apartment, prompting one of the force members to yell at him, “State Security… get inside.” However, poor video quality prevented determining the color of the military uniforms.

Initial reports indicate that surveillance camera recordings in the building were deleted, though the adjacent building’s camera managed to capture images of the group members. Additionally, the footage shows a young man on a skateboard, whom investigators believe may be part of the “israeli” group. Preliminary data suggest that all members of the unit left toward the sea. Investigators are considering various hypotheses, including the possibility that part of the commando team was in the area conducting reconnaissance before the operation.

Sources indicate that the most likely scenario is that the unit infiltrated the area by sea using a “Zodiac” with their military equipment, executed the kidnapping, and returned the same way. A larger naval vessel then transported the team from open waters. According to available information, the operation lasted only four minutes, and Amhaz has no known affiliations with Lebanese security agencies. Security forces found around ten foreign SIM cards, a phone, and a foreign passport in Amhaz’ apartment. Security forces are currently collecting video recordings from around the Batroun apartment, with evidence suggesting that the enemy deleted the data remotely.

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