Israeli forces detained a Lebanese man today near the border between Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms, witnesses and a security source in Lebanon said.
Another security source said UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon were in talks with Israeli forces to secure the release of a person detained today, but could not say where the individual was seized.
Residents of Shebaa village, a short drive from the Shebaa Farms, said Israeli troops had detained Hisham Hassan Balaa while he was picking herbs. It was not clear whether he had wandered into the Shebaa Farms, they said.
The United Nations says the Shebaa Farms is Syrian territory captured by Israel in the Middle East war of 1967. Syria and Lebanon say it is Lebanese and Lebanese villagers show visitors their deeds to land in the area.