Israeli Special Forces Capture Hezbollah Naval Commander in Lebanon

In a daring operation, Israeli special forces raided northern Lebanon and captured Imad Amhaz, a naval commander of the Islamic armed group Hezbollah.

The Israeli army confirmed that the arrest took place on November 1, but details of the incident were only revealed on the evening of November 2. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the operation was carried out by the Israeli Navy’s Shayetet 13 commando unit.

Lebanese media reported that Israeli special forces traveled by sea and secretly attacked a wooden house on the Batroun beach, northern Lebanon, before arresting Amhaz and leaving by speedboat. The raid occurred approximately 30km from the Lebanese capital Beirut and nearly 140km north of the Israel-Lebanon maritime border.

Amhaz is accused of being a “senior agent of Hezbollah” and is responsible for the naval activities of the Iranian-backed Islamic armed group. He was brought to Israel for interrogation by unit 504 of the General Department of Military Intelligence.

Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Public Transport Ali Hamie disputed the IDF’s claims, stating that Amhaz is a captain of civilian ships and is studying at a civilian maritime academy.

Lebanese journalist Hasan Illaik reported that unnamed Lebanese military officials claimed the operation was carried out in coordination with the German Navy as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). However, a UNIFIL spokesman denied any involvement in “facilitating any kidnapping or any other violation of Lebanese sovereignty.”

The UNIFIL spokesman also warned that spreading false information and baseless speculation puts peacekeeping forces in danger.

Image: Imad Amhaz (Source: Times of Israel)