Full Breakdown
Israel Unveils Massive Seized Arsenal Linked to Hezbollah and Hamas
8/16/2026, 12:20:37 AM
Seized Arsenal Revealed at Tzrifin Base
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) opened its Tzrifin base in central Israel to journalists, displaying a large cache of weapons confiscated from Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. The stockpile includes rockets, grenades, drones, sniper rifles, anti-tank launchers, mortars and a World War II-era German MG-34 machine gun. According to the report, the weapons were used against Israeli civilians and troops since the early-October 2023 attacks and in subsequent fighting.
Weapon Types and Origins
The collection spans multiple origins: Iranian-produced rockets and mortars, Russian-made AK-47, AK-103 and AK-104 rifles, Chinese and Russian sub-machine guns, Austrian Steyr HS .50 sniper rifles, Turkish hunting rifles, and Chinese-origin anti-tank launchers. Two Nazi-era firearms—a German MG-34 and an MP 44 (StG 44) rifle—were also seized, described by the IDF as propaganda items. The IDF also recovered “dozens” of Iranian-made cannons, some Russian, and a variety of dual-use vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) configured to carry six rockets each.
IDF Weapons Expert Idan Sharon-Kettler
Lt. Col. (res.) Idan Sharon-Kettler, commander of the Captured Equipment Evacuation Unit, guided the tour and explained the significance of the finds. He noted that the weapons illustrate the “bread-and-butter” of Hezbollah and Hamas, highlighting how dual-use technology enables the groups to convert civilian items into offensive tools.
Official Responses and Future Plans
A State Department official, speaking on background, said the United States will continue to support a U.S.–led effort to pressure Lebanon’s government to disarm Hezbollah and to negotiate a staged IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The next round of talks is slated for early September in Rome.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Motorcycles like these took Israelis hostages,” — Idan Sharon-Kettler
- “You can sit on top of a hill and control a road that goes underneath. And with six anti-tank rockets you will stop almost any vehicle that passes,” — Idan Sharon-Kettler
- “In many houses the canons were pointing out of windows,” — Sharon-Kettler. One
- “Light sniper rifles, some made in Iran, some Russian, are very common with Hezbollah and Hamas,” — Idan Sharon-Kettler
