In a new security development in southern Lebanon, the Islamic Group (Jamaa Islamiya) reported that Israeli forces, under the cover of darkness on Sunday night, infiltrated the town of Hebbariyeh in the Hasbaya district, abducting the group’s local official for Hasbaya and Marjeyoun, Atwi Atwi, from his home and taking him to an unknown location after terrorizing and assaulting his family.

The “Islamic Group” condemned the act in a statement, holding “the occupying forces responsible for any harm that may come to him.”

The group also said that “this act adds to the daily violations and brutal assaults on sovereignty carried out by the occupying forces,” questioning, “Was this raid a response to the Prime Minister’s visit to the South and to the towns of Hasbaya? Or to the locals’ reaffirmation of their commitment to the state?” It added that the raid is part of a campaign to terrorize the residents and force them to abandon their villages and lands.

The group called on the Lebanese state to “pressure the responsible parties to halt these hostile actions, secure the release of Atwi Atwi and all other detainees, and stop all Israeli violations of Lebanese territory and sovereignty,” while also urging the state to protect the civilians in their villages and towns.