Lebanese PM calls Mossad spy story fake after two men released
Officials cleared two Palestinians from Ramallah after their Israeli phone codes triggered a hotel investigation in Beirut.
By Noor Phillips ·
Lebanese authorities cleared two Palestinian men on Sunday after dismissing viral claims that Israeli intelligence officers had been captured in Beirut. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared the spy story fake news and urged the public to calm down following the brief detention.
The men, both from Ramallah, were held because their mobile numbers displayed an Israeli country code. Security forces questioned the pair and confirmed they entered the country legally and had visited previously. Salam’s office accused hostile groups of spreading the rumor to damage the Prime Minister’s reputation and confuse public opinion.
The incident began when an Uber driver and staff at the Lancaster Eden Bay hotel noticed the two guests using Israeli numbers to make reservations. Reports indicated the men were holding Turkish passports. This alert prompted a quick investigation by local security services.
A second rumor emerged the next day, claiming Salam had deported the men rather than holding them. Anti-Israel factions in Lebanon expressed anger over this version of events. The rapid spread of these stories fueled public anxiety about foreign intelligence activity.
Lebanese concern about Mossad operations has grown since September 2024. During that month, thousands of booby-trapped pagers exploded across Lebanon and Syria. Hezbollah confirmed that most of the casualties were its own members, though civilian injuries were also reported.
The government moved to contain the narrative after the two men were released. Officials stated that the investigation concluded the guests were not agents, ending the immediate speculation about a covert capture.
