Unresolved Fates of Missing Syrians: Families Await Answers
In the southwestern Syrian village of Jbata al-Khashab, Hassan Ahmad counts the minutes since his son went missing. He recounts that Israeli forces abducted Saddam near the border on April 25, 2024, when the young man was just 17 and working as a shepherd. Since that day, the family has received no official information regarding his whereabouts or the reasons behind his detention. This tragic story is part of a larger issue, as reported by Tages-Anzeiger, concerning the disappearance of several Syrians during Israeli military operations within Syria. According to authorities in Quneitra province, 47 Syrians remain in captivity under the Israeli army, with their fates still unknown. It is believed that four of these individuals disappeared prior to the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, while the remaining cases were recorded afterward.
The reports indicate that the Israeli army has established ten sites within Syria and the UN-monitored demilitarized zone. The newspaper discusses the demolition of homes, destruction of agricultural lands, and the spraying of herbicides on Syrian fields, with Amnesty International calling for investigations into these incursions as potential war crimes. In response, the Israeli army claims its operations aim to counter terrorist threats and protect Israel from possible attacks.
In Saddam's case, the family has yet to receive an official answer regarding his fate. His father shares that former prisoners have informed him via Facebook that they saw his son in Israeli prisons. Additionally, he has received information suggesting that his son remains under "administrative detention." The paper cites the Israeli organization B'Tselem to explain the concept of administrative detention. According to the organization, individuals can be held without trial based on a military commander's order, relying on classified evidence that the detainee cannot access. This preventive measure can continue indefinitely, leaving detainees unaware of when they might be released, without any charges or trials being brought against them.
The issue also takes on legal and international dimensions, with Syrian lawyer Ahmad Moussa compiling names and cases of several missing individuals to present to the United Nations working group on enforced or involuntary disappearances. The Israeli army responded to inquiries from the newspaper’s editorial team but did not provide details about Saddam's whereabouts or the charges against him. Amidst scattered information and the absence of official answers, Hassan Ahmad clings to a message he claims was sent by his son, which reached him through indirect channels a few months ago. The message states, "I will return, and I will help you again in the fields."
As reported by swissinfo.ch.
Middle Eastern Conflicts Boost Energy Company Profits and Renew Tax Debates in Europe
The record profits of major European oil companies have reignited discussions around imposing taxes on "excess profits" garnered from soaring crude prices due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Estimates from Dan Quiggin, a political advisor at Transport & Environment, indicate that the largest eight oil companies amassed roughly €7.5 billion in these profits during the first half of 2026, compared to the same period the previous year. Swiss radio and television reports suggest that calls for a special tax are increasing within Europe, although implementing such a tax is complicated by multinational corporations' ability to shift profits to lower-tax jurisdictions. Portugal has already introduced a 33% tax on profits exceeding the average of the previous two years by at least 20%.
Quiggin argues that the most effective solution would be a coordinated mechanism at the EU level: "An EU-coordinated mechanism would create equal conditions across all member states, effectively eliminating the possibility of reducing tax liabilities in this manner." The report further explains that tax revenues could be utilized to alleviate consumer burdens and finance the transition to electric vehicles and public transport. While discussions in Europe remain limited, the continuous increase in oil profits could heighten political pressure and potentially bring the topic back onto the agenda in Switzerland as well.
As reported by swissinfo.ch.
