German prosecutors announced on Monday the arrest of a Lebanese man suspected of being affiliated with the Hezbollah militant group. He is accused of sourcing drone components intended for export and use in attacks against Israel.
The man, identified as Fadel Z., was arrested Sunday in Salzgitter, in Lower Saxony state, federal prosecutors said in a statement.
Prosecutors indicated that he was a member of Hezbollah in Lebanon by the summer of 2016. This year, he reportedly began sourcing components in Germany for military drones, specifically engines, at the militant group’s request. The parts were intended for export to Lebanon for use in attacks against Israel, prosecutors said.
Since early October, the Israeli military has engaged in frequent cross-border exchanges of fire with Hezbollah. Nearly 500 people have been killed in Lebanon and at least 20 in Israel. The Shiite group has been backing its ally Hamas following the Palestinian militant organization’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which sparked conflict in the Gaza strip.
Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in their Oct. 7 attack. Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 116 hostages, including 42 the military says are dead.
Israel’s counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 38,200 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. In May, Israel estimated the death toll at around 30,000, and that most of the dead are combatants.
The military branch of Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Germany labels Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and imposed a ban on its activities within the country in 2020.
Hezbollah claims it is targeting Israel in support of Hamas, which is also alligned with Iran. The leadership of Hezbollah has stated that it will cease its attacks once a cease-fire is established in Gaza, emphasizing that while it does not seek war, it is prepared for one.
