Israel Frees Lebanese Shepherd after Brief Abduction

A Lebanese shepherd, Abdullah Rahmeh, who was abducted on Friday by the Israeli army was released at dawn on Saturday, the National News Agency reported.

The Israeli army handed Rahmeh to the UNIFIL troops at the Ras al-Naqoura border area. UNIFIL in turn handed him to the Lebanese Army Intelligence units, added NNA.

Rahmeh was kidnapped by Israeli troops when he took his flock out to graze in a pasture near his hometown of Aita el-Shaab, close to the Israeli border.

Later on Saturday, UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti told NNA that the Israeli army has freed the shepherd Friday evening handing him to the UNIFIL troops.

A statement issued by the UNIFIL on Friday, indicated that “around eight o'clock, the UNIFIL was notified by the Israeli army that it has captured a shepherd who had crossed over the Blue Line in the vicinity of Aita el-Shaab in the South,” adding that the UNIFIL immediately informed the Lebanese army, according to NNA.

The statement also indicated that “the head of the UNIFIL mission and its General Commander, Major General Michael Perry, as well as the UNIFIL correlation team are in touch with the parties concerned in this regard, focusing their efforts on securing the shepherd's release.”