Lebanon detains two Syrians accused of espionage for Israel

The Lebanese army said Wednesday it had arrested two Syrians on suspicion of having been recruited to work for Israel, as its military bombs Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

Lebanese army intelligence arrested two Syrians "for photographing different places... and documenting the results of enemy air strikes", an army statement on social network X said.

The arrests were "a result of surveillance and follow-up of Israeli spy networks and enemy agents", it said in the statement.

The pair had also documented "search and rescue operations and the recovery of bodies" at Israeli strike sites and were "recruited through social media", the statement said, adding that judicial authorities were investigating.

Israel has been pounding Lebanon for more than two weeks, saying it is targeting Hezbollah commanders and munitions, in raids that have killed more than 1,200 people since September 23, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Lebanon remains technically at war with Israel and forbids citizens from having any contact with Israel or travelling there.

Suspicions are running particularly high after Israel killed senior Hezbollah commanders in recent weeks, including the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Lebanese security services have arrested dozens over the years on suspicions of collaborating with Israel, with some receiving jail terms of up to 25 years.