Israeli Force Fails to Kidnap Shepherd, Seizes Goat Flock Instead

An Israeli force failed on Friday to kidnap a Lebanese shepherd who hails from the border town of Shebaa, but managed to take the flock of goats instead.

"An Israeli infantry force comprising 20 members crossed the border line near Borkat al-Naqqar and marched 50 meters (inside Lebanese territory) in an attempt to kidnap shepherd Asaad Hamdan,” LBCI television reported.

But Hamdan managed to escape while around 120 goats remained in the captivity of the Israeli troops, according to the same source.

Consequently, the Lebanese army contacted the UNIFIL to retrieve the seized flock.

Kidnapping incidents of Lebanese residents by the Israeli forces are frequent near the border area.

They are usually interrogated before their eventual release.

On April 7, an Israeli patrol abducted two shepherds and three women near the Blue Line at the Bastra Farm near Shebaa.

They were soon released however.

S.D.B.

Y.R.