Hizbullah abducted Israeli-Arabs
Hizbullah kidnapped two Israeli-Arabs in April to prod them for intelligence information about Israel, then released them four days later after receiving none, defense officials say
Hizbullah abducted on April 7 Mohammed Muki Ben-Jamal and Nuef Maharj Ben-Ali, both 30 and from the Israeli-Arab village of Rajar on the Israel-Lebanon border. They said they were held for four days in harsh conditions and were beaten and interrogated day and night.
Defense officials estimated gunmen had kidnapped them to prod them for intelligence information on Israel. The Shin Bet, which interrogated the men after their release, found they had not revealed anything that could compromise Israel's security.
The northern part of the Rajar village is located in Lebanon, but its residents are recognized as Israeli citizens.
Defense officials said the area has been used to smuggle drugs into Israel and constitutes a security risk and.
“The drug smuggling could also open the way for weapons to be brought into Israel,” Northern Police Commander Menachem Haver told Ynet. “Other people could be kidnapped just like these residents were.”
Hizbullah planning attacks
Defense officials said that since Israel withdrew from Lebanon five years ago, Hizbullah has been up to its neck in intelligence information about Israel and plans to carry out an attack.
Several explosive devices exploded in the Mount Dov border area Sunday, amid speculation that Hizbullah may be attempting to escalate tensions in the country's north.
An IDF soldier was killed in January after several explosive devices planted by Hizbullah in the same area exploded when an army jeep drove by the roadside bombs. A French army officer and a Hizbullah gunman were later killed in the exchanges of fire that followed the incident.
Hizbullah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah threatened Friday the group would abduct Israeli soldiers so it could negotiate with Israel for their release.
"We may need to return to the old methods of abductions for the purpose of prisoner exchanges," he said.
Nasrallah added that Hizbullah will soon declare a "new stance" regarding the ongoing negotiations with Israel on a possible prisoner swap.
Israel swapped about two dozen Lebanese and Arab prisoners last year for three dead soldiers and a businessman captive.
