Israeli Unit Fails to Abduct Four Shepherds in South, Seizes their Cattle
An Israeli unit failed on Friday in abducting shepherds in the southern town of Shebaa, opting instead to seize their cattle, reported the National News Agency.
It said that the unit crossed 400 meters into the Jabal al-Shahel region west of Shebaa where it tried to kidnap four shepherds.
The shepherds managed to escape however to a nearby post of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon as the Israeli troops seized about a hundred of their goats.
They were identified as Mohammed Hussein Zahra and his brother Ismail, Ismail Qassem Zahra, and Mohammed Zahra.
UNIFIL is working on returning the cattle back to the shepherds.
Development and Liberation bloc MP Qassem Hashem soon inspected the area where the attempt took place and met with the shepherds.
“The recent violation of Lebanon's border is a provocation against the country and its sovereignty,” he said.
Hashem added that the Blue Line has not been demarcated where the kidnapping attempt took place, stressing that it is a liberated area.
“For how long will these provocations continue? Why does the government delay in presenting this issue before the international community?” wondered the MP.
“Where are the officials who constantly defend Lebanon's sovereignty, dignity, and independence? Why do they remain silent over the Israeli provocations in the South?” he asked.
The government should directly follow up on the violations to reveal Israel's hostile nature before the world, he declared.
“We should no longer remain silent over the Israeli violations of our land,” stated Hashem.
On April 7, an Israeli patrol abducted two shepherds and three women near the Blue Line at the Bastra Farm near Shebaa.
They were soon released however.
Israeli troops frequently kidnap shepherds near border areas.
They are usually interrogated before their eventual release.
M.T.
S.D.B.
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