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Lebanese Rebels Kidnap Seven Beirut Jews; Release Them After 36 Hours

October 1, 1958
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The safe return of seven Beirut Jews who were kidnapped and held under threat of death for 36 hours by Lebanese rebels, was reported here today from the Lebanese capital.

According to the dispatch, all seven, including Abrahaim Surrour, a grave digger, hailed a taxi Sunday morning after leaving a cemetery where they had attended the funeral of a local shopkeeper. Instead of driving them to the Jewish quarter, the driver took them to a rebel stronghold where 50 armed men threw them into a cellar and held them prisoner.

One of their captors told them that “we are going to shoot all you Jews,” the dispatch said. Last night, when they were dragged out of the cellar they thought their last hour had struck. However, they were driven to the Jewish quarter and put out of a car. Their families, who had given them up for lost, held joyful reunions.

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