Israeli naval commandos captured Imad Amhaz, whom the Israeli Defense Forces claim holds a senior position in Hezbollah’s naval operations, in a rare and deep incursion into northern Lebanon.
The Friday attack was carried out by members of the Shayetet 13 force. It took place on the coast in Batroun, around 140 kilometers (87 miles) north of Israel’s maritime border. Israeli officials said Amhaz was brought back to Israel and is being interrogated by Unit 504, an intelligence unit focused on human intelligence.
The Israeli Navy’s Shayetet 13 commando unit carried out a raid in northern Lebanon last night, capturing a Hezbollah official, the military confirms.
The Hezbollah operative, Imad Amhaz, is considered by the IDF to be a “significant source of knowledge” in the terror group’s… pic.twitter.com/21GZJGcgkh
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) November 2, 2024
Lebanese authorities condemned the raid as a violation of national sovereignty. Security forces in Lebanon have started an investigation, collecting statements from eyewitnesses who saw an armed force storming Amhaz’s rented chalet and taking him away by boat. Caretaker Public Works Minister Ali Hamieh said Lebanon plans to file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council, demanding accountability for what they described as an “unjustified attack” on Lebanese soil.
Amhaz’s family has denied any links to Hezbollah, stating that he is a civilian boat captain studying at a local maritime institute. His father called on Lebanese and international agencies to intervene, asserting that his son has no ties to political or militant groups. Hezbollah-affiliated media criticized the raid, accusing Israel of aggression without providing further details.
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