Axios: Israel Arrests Senior Hezbollah Commander in Northern Lebanon

The news outlet "Axios" reported, citing an Israeli official, that the naval commandos of the Israeli army arrested a senior Hezbollah commander named Imad Fadel Amhaz in northern Lebanon on Friday night, November 11. Barak Ravid, a reporter for Axios, quoted the unnamed official as saying that the reason for Amhaz's arrest was to interrogate him and gather more information about Hezbollah's naval operations. The Israeli television network "Kan" also reported that over 25 naval commandos of the Israeli army arrested Imad Fadel Amhaz during an operation targeting a villa in the coastal city of Batroun in northern Lebanon. Security cameras at the scene showed several Israeli soldiers detaining a person and taking him away. Ali Hamieh, a Hezbollah member and Lebanon's Minister of Transport, confirmed the arrest of Imad Fadel Amhaz in an interview with "Al-Jadeed News," claiming that he is the captain of civilian ships and studying at a civilian maritime institute. However, the Saudi media outlet "Al-Hadath" reported that Imad Fadel Amhaz is a member of Hezbollah Lebanon. Israeli media, citing Lebanese officials, reported that the operation to arrest Amhaz was conducted in coordination with members of the German Navy in the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Meanwhile, the Saudi media outlet "Al-Sharq News" quoted the deputy spokesperson for UNIFIL as stating that UN peacekeepers had no involvement in the arrest of Amhaz and that it constituted a "violation of Lebanon's sovereignty." This UNIFIL official added that spreading "false information and baseless rumors is irresponsible" and puts peacekeeping forces at risk. The arrest of Imad Amhaz comes amid escalating clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah has unilaterally begun rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel since the day after the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. In response, Israel has conducted severe attacks against the positions of this Iran-backed group in Lebanon and Syria, killing hundreds of its members, including leaders and senior military commanders such as Hassan Nasrallah, Foad Shakir, Ibrahim Aqil, and Hashem Safi al-Din. Concurrently with heavy airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, the outskirts of southern Beirut, and the Bekaa Valley, Israel has deployed ground forces to parts of southern Lebanon. Several countries, including the United States, Israel, Germany, Serbia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Australia, have recognized Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. The designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization means that there is no distinction between its political and military branches, labeling both as terrorist entities. At least 11 Israelis were injured due to Hezbollah's rocket fire on the city of Tyre. Hundreds of thousands have fled from Lebanon to Syria due to Israeli attacks. Israeli attacks on Hezbollah and Hamas positions coincide with U.S. efforts for a ceasefire. The U.S. Secretary of State announced an understanding between Israel and Lebanon for the implementation of Resolution 1701. Netanyahu stated that any agreement with Hezbollah is conditional on border security and the elimination of threats from Lebanon. Hezbollah's rocket fire on northern Israel left five dead. Israel stated that it would ensure that Naim Qassem would soon join "the path of Nasrallah." The deputy commander of Hezbollah's Radwan Force was killed in an Israeli attack.