IDF uncovers Nazi-era weapons among seized Hezbollah and Hamas arsenal

Israel's Defense Forces (IDF) displayed a substantial cache of weapons seized from Hezbollah and Hamas at the Tzrifin base in central Israel. The collection includes rockets, grenades, drones, anti-tank launchers, mortars and small arms manufactured in Iran, Russia, China and locally in Lebanon and Gaza. Among the items were two German World War II-era firearms – an MG-34 machine gun and an MP 44 assault rifle – marked with Nazi symbols, which the IDF said were employed by the groups for propaganda purposes.

Lt. Col. (res.) Idan Sharon-Kettler, commander of the Captured Equipment Evacuation Unit, identified the Nazi-marked weapons and explained that Hezbollah also used a variety of modern arms, such as Russian-made AK-47, AK-103 and AK-104 rifles, Austrian Steyr sniper rifles, Chinese and Russian sub-machine guns, and Iranian-produced mortars and anti-tank rockets. He noted that the groups frequently modify civilian vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, to transport rockets and launchers in the rugged terrain of southern Lebanon.

The IDF also reported seizing Iranian rockets that were fired into Israeli cities during the conflict, as well as drones that were used to create noise and divert Israeli resources. Additional equipment included uniforms, helmets, body armor and medical kits sourced from Syria, China and Lebanon.

A State Department official, speaking on background, said talks aimed at disarming Hezbollah and arranging a staged Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon will continue, with a next round scheduled for early September in Rome.