Two Palestinians freed in Lebanon after hotel staff spotted Israeli phone numbers

Lebanese authorities released two Palestinian men on Sunday after holding them for questioning, ending a brief security scare that spread across social media. The government officially dismissed reports that the pair were Israeli intelligence officers.

The two men, both residents of Ramallah, were detained after their mobile numbers displayed Israeli country codes. Their reservation at the Lancaster Eden Bay hotel in Beirut raised flags when staff and an Uber driver noticed the numbers. Authorities then moved to investigate the situation.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam responded to the growing chatter by labeling the Mossad capture narrative as fake news. In a statement from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Salam criticized the spread of the rumors as a moral bankruptcy and a cheap attempt to tarnish his reputation.

Security forces confirmed that both men had entered Lebanon legally and had previously visited the country. The statement noted that hostile parties had worked to mislead public opinion by fueling the spy story.

A second rumor circulated the following day, claiming Salam had deported the men rather than detaining them. This version of events drew sharp criticism from anti-Israel groups within Lebanon, adding to the public debate.

Tensions regarding Israeli intelligence in Lebanon have risen since the pager attacks in September 2024. During that operation, booby-trapped devices exploded across Lebanon and Syria, killing and injuring thousands of Hezbollah members and civilians. Hezbollah confirmed that most of the casualties were affiliated with the group.