Israeli Security Services Foils Hizbollah Kidnapping Attempts

Israeli security forces have recently foiled 2 kidnapping attempts by Hizbollah. The thwarted kidnappings were aimed at Jewish businessmen working outside of Israel. The article speculates the kidnappings were to take place in western Africa. However, it could just have easily been in Venezuela.

Recently it was revealed that Hizbollah has recruited Venezuelan citizens to gather information on Jewish businessman for Hizbollah kidnapping squads operating there. Jerusalem Post

Two attempts by Hizbullah to kidnap Israeli businessmen abroad in retaliation for the February assassination of Imad Mughniyeh were recently foiled by Israeli security services, government officials revealed on Monday.

Officials refused to divulge additional information but said that the two cases underlined the gravity of the threat Israelis are currently facing overseas. The plots, officials said, were thwarted at advanced stages.

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While the travel advisory did not focus on a specific country, an earlier advisory had been issued for the West Africa region. Israeli security officials have traveled to various countries in Africa in recent months to personally meet with businessmen and other Israelis living there to warn them of the growing threat.

Channel 2 reported that Hizbullah had cells in West Africa and South America.