BEIRUT — Amid rising regional tensions, a troubling pattern has begun to take shape inside Lebanon: a series of abductions attributed to Israeli occupation forces, leaving Lebanese citizens in a state of uncertainty and fear.

These incidents are not isolated events, but rather part of a broader security reality being imposed on the country—one that deepens instability and challenges Lebanon’s already fragile sovereignty.

Over recent months, reports have emerged of scattered kidnapping operations targeting individuals in different regions. The fate of several Lebanese citizens remains unknown, with families left in anguish and without answers.

Among the most notable cases is the abduction of a member affiliated with the Islamic Group during an Israeli incursion on February 11, an incident that underscores the seriousness of the situation and the apparent boldness of such operations.

Equally alarming is the case of retired officer Ahmed Shokr, whose disappearance has now been widely linked to Israeli intelligence activity.
Investigations conducted by Lebanese authorities point toward a coordinated operation involving local collaborators, ultimately resulting in his transfer to Israeli detention.

Shokr’s case has not only raised serious concerns about internal security breaches, but has also highlighted the vulnerability of Lebanese citizens to covert operations that extend beyond traditional battlefields.

These developments have intensified fears that such incidents may not remain sporadic. Instead, they risk becoming part of a recurring pattern, especially in the absence of effective deterrence or accountability.

The growing perception among the public is that Lebanon is being subjected to a form of sustained security pressure, where abductions and covert actions serve as tools to impose new realities on the ground.

At the same time, there appears to be a significant shortcoming in the response of both international and local actors. International organizations, which are expected to uphold legal frameworks and protect civilians, have largely remained silent or ineffective in addressing these violations.

Locally, despite ongoing investigations and official statements, there has been limited tangible progress in preventing further incidents or ensuring the safe return of those abducted.

This lack of decisive action only reinforces a climate of impunity, allowing such operations to continue unchecked. It also raises fundamental questions about the role of international resolutions, particularly UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was intended to establish stability and prevent precisely these kinds of violations.

The repeated breaches of this resolution—whether through incursions, surveillance, or abductions—demonstrate a widening gap between legal commitments and realities on the ground.

As Lebanon navigates this increasingly complex security environment, the stakes continue to rise. The normalization of abductions as a tactic threatens not only individual lives but also the broader sense of national security and sovereignty. Without urgent and coordinated efforts to address these violations, there is a real risk that such incidents will become an entrenched feature of the Lebanese landscape.

Ultimately, the issue goes beyond isolated cases—it is about the erosion of safety, accountability, and the rule of law. For many Lebanese, the question is no longer whether such incidents will happen again, but when.