JERUSALEM — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday opened its Tzrifin Base in Central Israel to journalists, displaying a vast arsenal of confiscated weapons linked to Hezbollah and Hamas, including rockets, drones, sniper rifles, and a Nazi-era machine gun.
The seized weapons, which range in origin from Iran, Russia, and China to homegrown producers in Lebanon and Gaza, were used in attacks against Israeli civilians and military targets since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its assault on southern Israel. The IDF stated that Hezbollah has also deployed weapons against Lebanese civilians.
Among the displayed items was a German MG-34 machine gun bearing a Nazi-era swastika emblem, recovered from a Hezbollah compound in Lebanon. Lt. Col. (res.) Idan Sharon-Kettler, commander of the IDF’s Captured Equipment Evacuation Unit, identified the weapon as a relic from World War II, noting its markings included an eagle clutching a swastika.
Iranian involvement highlighted
The IDF emphasized the role of Iran’s so-called “axis of resistance”, which includes Hamas and Hezbollah, in supplying and coordinating the use of these weapons. According to reports cited by the IDF, members of this alliance have killed over 300 American citizens.
Civilian impact and regional escalation
The IDF reported that Iran fired rockets into Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Be’er Sheva, during the conflict. On February 25, 2024, days after a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran, Tehran launched a ballistic missile into Be’er Sheva, injuring 19 people.
The display at Tzrifin Base underscored the multi-front nature of the conflict, with Israel facing threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and direct Iranian missile strikes. The IDF described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the military capabilities of these groups.
Weapon origins and manufacturing details
The confiscated arsenal included:
- Anti-tank rocket launchers and mortars of Iranian and Russian make.
- Drones and automated weapons sourced from China and Lebanon.
- Sniper rifles and grenades produced in Gaza and Lebanon.
- Ballistic missiles manufactured in Iran, some of which were intercepted or recovered post-strike.
The IDF did not provide a full inventory of the seized weapons but noted that the collection represents a fraction of the total arms smuggled into the region over the past decade.
International responses and ongoing tensions
The display comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Israel and the U.S. conducting joint strikes against Iranian military targets. Iran has continued to assert its support for proxy groups, framing its actions as resistance against Israeli military operations.
The IDF stated that the confiscated weapons serve as evidence of the transnational nature of the threat, involving state sponsors and non-state actors alike. Military officials declined to comment on the current status of the captured arms or whether additional seizures have occurred since the February strikes.
The exhibition at Tzrifin Base follows a pattern of Israel releasing visual evidence of arms smuggling and military buildup by Iran-backed groups to bolster its security narrative. The IDF has not indicated whether further disclosures will be made regarding the origins or intended use of the displayed weapons.