Lawyer Reveals Secret Israeli Detention Centre for Syrian and Lebanese Detainees Kidnapped During Recent Incursions

Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Palestinian lawyer Khaled Mahajneh revealed the existence of a secret Israeli prison called “Naftali,” located in northern occupied Palestine (Israel), dedicated to Syrian and Lebanese hostages taken in recent incursions.

Mahajneh, who works with the Palestinian Prisoners’ Affairs Commission, shared the information during an interview with “Jisr” podcast.

Naftali prison holds dozens of Syrian and Lebanese detainees. According to Mahajneh, Israel arrested dozens of Syrians both before and after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Israeli forces also detained many Lebanese citizens, even after ceasefire agreements were signed.

Mahajneh said he personally knows of a 14-year-old Syrian boy from Quneitra who has been held without charge since May 2024. Israel accuses him of being an “unlawful combatant,” a label that allows detention of foreigners without trial under Israeli law.

Since the fall of Assad’s regime, Israel has escalated its military assaults in southern Syria. It has launched frequent airstrikes on Syrian territory, claiming it aims to prevent weapons from reaching the new government. Israel has also increased ground incursions and continued occupying parts of Syrian land.

Syria’s official responses to Israeli violations have been limited. On Friday, Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Al-Shibani addressed the United Nations Security Council. He urged the Council to “pressure Israel to withdraw from Syrian territory.”

Speaking at a session focused on political and humanitarian conditions in Syria, Al-Shibani said that Israel’s ongoing aggression undermines the peace and security that Syria is trying to achieve. He stressed that Syria remains committed to not posing a threat to any country, including Israel.

Meanwhile, tensions between Syria and Palestinian resistance factions have also surfaced. Days ago, Islamic Jihad announced that Syrian authorities had arrested two of its leaders in Damascus, allegedly over weapons possession.

The arrests sparked controversy, especially since the Palestinian resistance group did not intervene in Syria’s revolution. The Islamic Jihad’s military wing focused its fight solely against Israel and avoided involvement in Syria’s internal issues.