Hezbollah Member Arrested in Germany for Procuring Drone Components

A Lebanese man, Fadel Z., has been arrested in Germany on suspicion of being a member of the Hezbollah militant group and procuring drone components for attacks against Israel. He joined Hezbollah in 2016 and allegedly began acquiring drone parts in Germany this year. He is currently in custody, facing possible indictment.

A Lebanese man accused of being a member of the Hezbollah militant group and procuring drone components set for use in attacks against Israel has been arrested in Germany, prosecutors said on Monday.

The suspect, identified as Fadel Z. due to German privacy regulations, was detained in Salzgitter in northern Germany on Sunday, federal prosecutors stated. He is suspected of membership in a foreign terrorist organisation.

Prosecutors revealed that Fadel Z. joined Hezbollah in Lebanon by the summer of 2016. This year, he reportedly began procuring military drone components, especially engines, in Germany on the group's orders. “They were supposed to be exported to Lebanon and used in terrorist attacks on Israel,” prosecutors said.

Fadel Z. was brought before a judge on Monday, who ordered his detention pending a potential indictment.

Since the Israel-Hamas war erupted nine months ago, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Israel have been engaging in near-daily exchanges of fire. Hezbollah claims its strikes on Israel are in solidarity with Hamas and vows to cease attacks once there is a cease-fire in Gaza. While Hezbollah's leaders state they do not want war, they affirm readiness for conflict.