Father of kidnapped Lebanese sea captain denies Hezbollah ties

The father of a Lebanese sea captain abducted in a suspected Israeli naval operation has denied any connection between his son and Hezbollah, as tensions escalate between Israel and Lebanon.

On Friday, armed men kidnapped Lebanese citizen Imad Emhez in Batroun, approximately 30 kilometers north of Beirut. Lebanese authorities are investigating the incident and have suggested Israel may be behind the abduction.

Fadil Emhez, the father of the abductee, stated, “My son has no affiliation with political parties, nor does he engage in politics,” in a message published by Lebanese media on Sunday.

He clarified that his son is a sea captain undergoing training at the Marsati Institute for Marine Sciences in Batroun when the incident occurred.

The father held the Lebanese government and a German force responsible for monitoring Lebanese shores accountable for the abduction. He urged the International Committee of the Red Cross and U.N. peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) to “intervene with the abductors and return Imad safely to his family.”

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced Saturday that Lebanon would file a formal complaint with the U.N. Security Council over the kidnapping.

Israel intesifies strikes on Lebanon

Israel has intensified its air strikes in Lebanon since late September, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah positions, in an escalation of the cross-border conflict. This escalation follows Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza.

Since last October, over 2,900 people have been killed and more than 13,000 injured in Israeli attacks on Lebanon, according to Lebanese health authorities. The conflict further escalated when Israel launched an incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.