Shayetet 13 commandos landed in the coastal city of Batroun in northern Lebanon and captured a Hezbollah operative, Arab media reported, and a military official confirmed on Saturday evening.
The operative was transferred to Israeli territory and is being investigated by Unit 504, the military official noted.
Axios reporter Barak Ravid later reported on X/Twitter that an Israeli official confirmed the operation.
The terrorist captured, Emad Fadel Amhaz, is a senior member of Hezbollah, according to Al-Hadath. Reports also stated that he is part of the Lebanese Navy. Amhaz was arrested to be questioned about Hezbollah’s naval operations, the official told Ravid.
גורם ביטחוני ישראלי מאשר: בפעולת קומנדו של שייטת 13 נלכד בכיר במערך הימי של חזבאללה@Doron_Kadosh
— גלצ (@GLZRadio) November 2, 2024
The operation was reportedly carried out in coordination with German naval forces operating as part of UNIFIL, Israeli media reported, citing claims by Lebanese officials.
More than two dozen in the operation
More than 25 people were involved in the operation, with a report by KAN saying that the IDF soldiers entered a cabin near the beach and kidnapped Amhaz, who was staying there alone.
Lebanon’s security forces are investigating the incident, N12 reported, citing Lebanese media.
דיווח בלבנון: "כוח של צה"ל פעל בצפון המדינה ולקח בשבי איש חיזבאללה" | תיעוד @OmerShahar123 צילום: שימוש לפי סעיף 27 א' pic.twitter.com/9IJsld3mhT
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) November 2, 2024
Pro-Hezbollah journalist Hassan Illaik said in a post on X that a large group of Israeli troops made a landing in the resort town and captured the man before departing on speed boats.
He shared CCTV footage appearing to show soldiers walking in the street, two of them holding a person.
Lebanese Transport Minister Ali Hamiye, who represents Hezbollah in Lebanon’s government, said the video was accurate but did not provide further details.
The Lebanese city is about 140 kilometers from the Israeli coast and 55 kilometers north of Beirut.