Questions are being raised about whether a “Hezbollah operative” captured by Israeli special forces could actually have been a double agent.
In a daring mission, Israeli forces on Friday seized Imad Ahmaz, a Lebanese ship captain, from a building in the northern Lebanese city of Batroun.
The dramatic attack involved at least 12 naval commandos from Shayetet 13 – Israel’s version of the Royal Navy’s elite Special Boat Service – who took Mr Ahmaz to an unknown location in the Mediterranean.
Intelligence experts have claimed that the markedly different operation to remove Mr Ahmaz – compared to recent operations in Lebanon – suggests he could have been working as a double agent.
Posing as Lebanese security forces, the Israelis broke down the door of Mr Ahmaz’s apartment before taking him back to their ship.
In a daring mission, Israeli forces on Friday seized Imad Ahmaz, a Lebanese ship captain, from a building in the northern Lebanese city of Batroun.
Posing as Lebanese security forces, the Israelis broke down the door of Mr Ahmaz’s apartment before taking him back to their ship
Intelligence experts have claimed that the markedly different operation to remove Mr Ahmaz – compared to recent operations in Lebanon – suggests he could have been working as a double agent.
Since the war with Hamas began after the October 7 attack, Israel has captured dozens of high-ranking Hamas figures.
However, during the recent conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon, Israeli forces have focused on airstrikes to eliminate Hezbollah leaders. This only adds to the apparent oddities of Friday’s operation.
This was said by an anonymous senior political figure in Lebanon, who opposes Hezbollah The Daily Telegraph that there were signs indicating that [Mr Ahmaz] could be a double agent’.
Meanwhile, Ronen Solomon, an Israeli defense and intelligence analyst and an expert on Hezbollah operatives and operations, said the kidnapping was unusual.
Mr Solomon claimed that items found in his home, such as SIM cards and multiple passports, indicate he could be a spy.
His alleged work as a senior operative in a Hezbollah unit that specialized in transporting weapons and electronics used in the fight against Israel meant he could have been recruited by the country.
An anonymous source from Israel also speculated that it was unusual that CCTV footage was not turned off, as if someone wanted video evidence of the kidnapping.
Meanwhile, following the invasion of Lebanon – Israel’s northernmost operation since the start of the war – the country
Interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he had ordered the government to file a complaint with the UN Security Council over the kidnapping, citing the violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.