The Israeli military conducted a bold sea raid to capture a senior Hezbollah official named Imad Amhaz in an unprecedented operation. Israeli commandos landed on the shores of Batroun, northern Lebanon, captured Amhaz, and escaped via speedboat. Amhaz was allegedly responsible for Hezbollah’s naval operations.
Lebanon’s caretaker minister of transport, Ali Hamie, described Amhaz as a civilian boat captain, while Hezbollah did not confirm his affiliation with the organization. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, expressed his intention to file a complaint with the UN Security Council and called for an investigation into the incident by Lebanon’s military and the UN peacekeeping mission.
The Israeli naval raid was significant as it took place in an area unconnected to Hezbollah and far from the Lebanon-Israel border. This operation has raised concerns about potential violations of UN resolution 1701, which governs security arrangements between Israel and Lebanon since the 2006 war.
The Israeli military defended its actions, stating that it will continue to protect Israel and its citizens wherever necessary. Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes across Lebanon, resulting in casualties in Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa valley.
Hezbollah retaliated by firing rockets and drones, injuring civilians in Israel. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has already taken a toll on both sides, with thousands of casualties over the past year, the majority of which occurred in the last five weeks.
The abduction of Imad Amhaz and the subsequent military actions highlight the escalating tensions in the region and the threat of further violence. The international community, including the UN, must step in to mediate and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. Both Israel and Hezbollah must exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue to avoid further bloodshed and destruction. The innocent civilians caught in the crossfire deserve peace and stability, not more suffering.
