Israel has captured a senior member of the Jamaa Islamiya group, a Lebanese Sunni Islamist organization, in an overnight raid in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army said troops conducted a targeted operation in the Habbariyeh area, apprehending a senior terrorist from the group. The man was transferred to Israel for questioning, and weapons were found at the location. Jamaa Islamiya confirmed the abduction of Atawi Atawi, condemning the act and holding Israel responsible for his safety. The group has ties to Hamas and is considered an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.
The raid comes amidst ongoing tensions between Israel and Lebanon, with a US-brokered ceasefire in place since November 2024. Israel claims groups like Jamaa Islamiya are rebuilding their capacity in southern Lebanon, despite the truce. The incident highlights the fragile nature of the ceasefire and continued volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border.
