Hezbollah Spy Game: Al-Aydi’s Disappearance Stirs Lebanon

Amid the chaos of Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs last March, Khaled al-Aydi found his chance to escape. As residents fled, al-Aydi slipped away from Hezbollah detention, making his way to the diplomatic quarter of Baabda, home to the Ukrainian Embassy.

Few details are known about al-Aydi, identified by Lebanese officials as a Palestinian refugee from Syria with Ukrainian citizenship. Accusations against him include being part of a thwarted Israeli intelligence plot targeting Hezbollah. The Lebanese military court’s case, detailed by anonymous sources, remains sensitive.

The disappearance of al-Aydi holds potential political ramifications. If al-Aydi left Lebanon with government aid, tensions with Hezbollah could rise, particularly among its Shiite supporters.

According to a Lebanese government document, the Ukrainian Embassy requested help in March for al-Aydi’s departure after his escape. However, Lebanon’s General Security agency refused as there was a warrant issued for his arrest.

Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry have both declined to comment on the matter. A Ukrainian official suggests al-Aydi is not at the Ukrainian Embassy, avoiding confirmation for security reasons.

Israel’s Intelligence Operations in Lebanon

Israel has built an extensive intelligence network within Lebanon. Through human and technological surveillance, they have achieved significant operations against Hezbollah. One elaborate plan involved sending Hezbollah compromised communication devices, which Israel detonated remotely.

Since the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, crackdowns on alleged spy networks in Lebanon have led to the conviction of about 50 people, with others under investigation. Hezbollah’s official, Wafiq Safa, acknowledged these efforts but emphasized Israel’s ongoing recruitment attempts among young Lebanese people.

Al-Aydi’s Mysterious Case

While many alleged spies were former Hezbollah members, al-Aydi was an outsider, having Ukrainian citizenship through his mother. His recruitment method by Israel remains undisclosed. Arriving from Ethiopia in August 2025, al-Aydi’s presence in Lebanon came amid a backdrop of ongoing espionage tensions.

Hezbollah’s growth post the 2006 war with Israel and its involvement in the Syrian civil war made infiltration easier. The Lebanese economic crisis also facilitated Israeli recruitment, with operatives receiving payments for intelligence on Hezbollah.

Among those accused of espionage was Mohammad Hadi Saleh, a religious performer with Hezbollah ties, charged with providing strategic site coordinates to Mossad.

Al-Aydi’s Whereabouts

In October, Lebanese authorities reportedly dismantled a network plotting bombings and assassinations, with al-Aydi and others charged in connection. While most remain in Lebanese custody, al-Aydi was held by Hezbollah due to his perceived high value.

Despite attempts apparently foiled by Hezbollah to smuggle al-Aydi to Syria, security officials believe he has left Lebanon. Whether he entered Syria remains uncertain, as Syrian authorities have provided no information.

Political Ramifications

Relations between Lebanon’s government and Hezbollah are strained, exacerbated by Hezbollah’s unilateral war decisions and government negotiations with Israel. Al-Aydi’s escape could heighten tensions, potentially angering Hezbollah supporters.

Lebanese authorities face challenges; refusing to release al-Aydi could have led to foreign pressure from the U.S. and Ukraine, while aiding his escape risks public backlash among Hezbollah’s base.

Contributions to this report were made by Samya Kullab in Kyiv and Josef Federman in Jerusalem.