Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine explained

Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine (IJLP) was a Lebanese Shia group that claimed credit for the January 24, 1987 abduction of three American and one Indian professors – Alann Steen, Jesse Turner, Robert Polhill, Mithaleshwar Singh – from Beirut University College in West Beirut.^{[1] [2]} They were eventually released.^[3]

Kidnapping of american catedratics

On January 24, 1987, the Alann Steen, Jesse Turner, Robert Polhill, Mithal Eshwar Singh was kidnapped by unknown militants dressed as lebanese police,^[1] later identified as Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine^{[2] [3]} The abducted were staff of the university, who stopped living in the campus apartments for security reasons, but were stalked by their captors.^{[4] [5]} The JILP militiamen demanded the release of 100 Arab prisoners in Israel in exchange for the release of the professors, to which Israeli authorities refused to accept the exchange.^{[3] [6]}

During the first weeks of the kidnapping, Professor Alann Steen began to have complications in his health, with some of the kidnapped people reporting that his state of health was deplorable.^{[6] [7]} After a few weeks, the professor began to improve his health, thanking his captors for their care in the tapes published by the terrorists.^{[8] [9] [3]}

Release of the hostages

It wasn't until October 4, 1988, when Mithileshwar Singh is released after ten months of captivity, handed over to Syrian authorities who handed over members of the US forces. US authorities stressed that Singh's release occurred without the need for agreements or negotiations with the kidnappers.^{[10] [11] [12]}

It was not until April 23, 1990, when Robert Polhill was finally released after 39 months of captivity.^{[13] [14]} Polhill would end up passing away at the age of 65 at Georgetown University Teaching Hospital on July 3, 1999 due to complications with cancer.^{[15] [16]}

Months later, on October 21, 1991, the YILP released Jesse Turner after holding him for nearly four years.^{[17] [18]} Six days later, Turner return to the United States.^[19] Weeks later, on December 3, the last American hostage Alann Steen was released, officially the penultimate American hostage on Lebanese soil.^{[20] [21]}

Notes and References

1. New York Times, January 25, 1987, March 19, 1987. A9, September 28, 1988. A9
2. New York Times, March 19, 1987. A9, September 28, 1988. A9
3. Web site: Abduction of 4 Professors Was Audacious, Bizarre : Lebanon: An elaborate charade fooled the academics and their security guards as well.. Los Angeles Times. 2023-10-10.
4. Web site: Alann Steen, an ex-Marine who was one of four. UPI News. 2023-10-10.
5. News: 3 AMERICANS KIDNAPED IN BEIRUT. The Washington Post. 2023-10-10.
6. News: STEEN NEAR DEATH, FELLOW CAPTIVE SAYS. The Washington Post. 2023-10-10.
7. News: U.S. HOSTAGE IN BEIRUT TIES FATE TO HELD ARABS. The Washington Post. 2023-10-10.
8. Web site: Hostage Alann Steen appears healthy on videotape. UPI News. 2023-10-10.
9. Web site: Hostage Steen Appears in Good Health in New Tape Released in Beirut. Los Angeles Times. 2023-10-10.
10. News: LEBANESE KIDNAPERS RELEASE HOSTAGE. The Washington Post. 2023-10-10.
11. Web site: BEIRUT KIDNAPPERS RELEASE A HOSTAGE AFTER 20 MONTHS. The New York Times. 2023-10-10.
12. Web site: Beirut Hostage Freed; Indian Resident of U.S. : Professor Seized With Three Americans Last Year Is Taken to Damascus by Syrian Forces. Los Angeles Times. 2023-10-10.
13. Web site: Robert Polhill, 65, Lebanon Hostage for 3 Years. Los Angeles Times. 2023-10-11.
14. News: PALE, THIN EX-HOSTAGE ARRIVES AT WALTER REED. The Washington Post. 2023-10-11.
15. Web site: Robert Polhill, 65, Lebanon Hostage for 3 Years. The New York Times. 2023-10-11.
16. News: Professor Robert Polhill Dies. The Washington Post. 2023-10-11.
17. Web site: U.S. hostage Turner freed. UPI News. 2023-10-11. U.S. hostage Turner freed
18. News: HOSTAGE TURNER FREED, ARRIVES IN DAMASCUS. The Washington Post. 2023-10-11.
19. Web site: Returned Hostage Is Embraced by His Hometown. The New York Times. 2023-10-11.
20. Web site: LAST U.S. CAPTIVE MAY GO FREE SOON. Deseret News. 2023-10-11.
21. Web site: Another U.S. Hostage Is Freed -- Alann Steen Released Today, Leaving Terry Anderson As Only American Captive. The Seattle Times. 2023-10-11.