Israeli forces abduct Lebanese shepherd in Shebaa

The Israeli army has abducted a Lebanese shepherd in the occupied Shebaa Farms area of south Lebanon, the UN confirmed on Friday.

Youssef Mohammad Zahra was apprehended by the Israeli forces on Friday, Andrea Tenenti, spokesman for UNIFIL said.

"We were informed by the Lebanese army that a shepherd has been apprehended in the area of the Shebaa farms," he said.

"We got in touch with the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) and they confirmed that. Now we are in touch with the IDF to try to secure his early release."

Tenenti said he was not able to provide further details about the abduction, nor explain the Israeli motive in arresting the shepherd.

"At the moment we are still investigating why and how it happened. Our troops are on the ground and the force commander is in touch with the IDF," he added.

Lebanon claims the Shebaa Farms as its territory currently under occupation by Israel. The Jewish state says the area is Syrian territory, captured by Israel during the 1967 war.

 Source