Unraveling the Fate of Kidnapped Syrian Children Amid Israeli Operations
In the small village of Jbatta Al-Khashab in southwestern Syria, Hassan Ahmed continues to count the days since the disappearance of his son, Saddam, who was abducted by Israeli forces near the border on April 25, 2024. At the time, Saddam was merely seventeen years old, working as a shepherd. Since that fateful day, his family has received no official word about his whereabouts or the reasons for his detention. This personal tragedy reflects a broader issue highlighted by the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper, which reports on the growing number of Syrians who have gone missing during Israeli operations within Syrian territory. According to authorities in the Quneitra Governorate, at least 47 Syrians are currently held captive by the Israeli army, with their fates remaining unknown. It is believed that four individuals disappeared before the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, while the rest went missing subsequently.
The Israeli military has established ten sites inside Syria and in the United Nations-monitored demilitarized zone, leading to widespread reports of house demolitions, agricultural land destruction, and the spraying of herbicides on Syrian fields. Human Rights Watch has called for investigations into these incursions, labeling them as potential war crimes. Conversely, the Israeli army maintains that its operations are aimed at countering terrorist threats and protecting Israel from possible attacks. In Saddam's case, his family remains without official answers regarding his fate. His father claims that former prisoners have contacted him via Facebook, stating they saw Saddam in Israeli prisons and provided information suggesting he remains under 'administrative detention.' The concept of administrative detention, as explained by the Israeli organization B'Tselem, means that a person can be held without trial based on a military commander's order, relying on secret evidence that the detainee cannot access. This preventive measure can be indefinite, leaving detainees unaware of when they might be released or the charges against them.
The issue has broader human rights and international implications, as Syrian lawyer Ahmed Al-Mousa has compiled names and cases of several missing individuals and submitted them to the United Nations' Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. While the Israeli army responded to inquiries from the newspaper’s editorial team, it failed to provide any information about Saddam’s location or the charges against him. Amidst the scattered information and lack of official answers, Hassan Ahmed holds on to a message he believes is from his son, which he received through indirect channels a few months ago, stating, "I will return, and I will help you again in the fields." As reported by swissinfo.ch.
Middle Eastern Conflicts Boost Oil Company Profits Amid Calls for Windfall Tax
The record profits of major European oil companies have reignited discussions around implementing a windfall profit tax, particularly in light of soaring crude prices amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. Estimates by Dan Quiggin, a political advisor at the organization Transport & Environment, indicate that the largest eight oil firms accrued approximately €7.5 billion in profits during the first half of 2026, a significant increase compared to the same period last year. Reports from Swiss public radio and television highlight that calls for a special tax are growing within Europe, yet implementing such a tax poses challenges due to multinational corporations' ability to shift profits to lower-tax jurisdictions. Portugal has already enacted a 33% tax on profits exceeding the average of the previous two years by at least 20%.
Quiggin argues for a coordinated mechanism at the European Union level, suggesting, "A coordinated European mechanism would create equal conditions across all member states, eliminating the possibility for firms to reduce their tax obligations in this manner." The site explains that the revenue generated from such a tax could be utilized to ease the burden on consumers and fund the transition to electric vehicles and public transport. Although discussions within Europe are still limited, the continued rise in oil profits may intensify political pressure and could potentially bring the topic back into discussions in Switzerland as well. As reported by swissinfo.ch.
