In an unprecedented move, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have opened the gates of their Tzrifin Base in Central Israel to the media, revealing a staggering cache of military weapons seized from Hezbollah and Hamas. The array includes rockets, grenades, drones, sniper rifles, and advanced military hardware such as automated weapons and anti-tank rocket launchers, all now safely stored away.

This arsenal, showcasing manufacturers from across the globe—from Iran and Russia to China and local producers in Lebanon and Gaza—tells a chilling story of the ongoing conflict. Among the collection is even a relic from the Nazi era, illustrating the diverse sources these groups tap into for their military campaigns. All of these weapons were utilized by Hamas and Hezbollah in their assaults on Israeli civilians and forces, with the violence peaking after Hamas’s deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

According to the IDF, Hezbollah has not only targeted Israelis but also posed a threat to Lebanese civilians, further complicating the regional strife. Both Hezbollah and Hamas, notorious players in Iran’s “axis of resistance,” have claimed the lives of over 300 American citizens, a grim testament to their expansive reach.

Israel has found itself embroiled in a complex multi-front conflict against Iran and its proxies. The evidence of this battle is starkly displayed outside the Tzrifin storage facility, where remnants of Iranian rockets are scattered, providing a visual testament for journalists to examine and understand the broad scope of military engagements.

Tehran fired rockets into civilian areas during the war, including large cities such as Tel Aviv and Be’ersheva. Just days after the joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran in late February, the Islamic Republic fired a ballistic missile into Beersheba, causing injuries to 19 people.

To the ordinary eye, it is a Herculean challenge to decipher the small Nazi swastika emblem on the German World War 2-era MG-34 machine gun seized at a Hezbollah terrorist compound in Lebanon. But, for the Israeli military commander of the Captured Equipment Evacuation Unit, Lt. Col. (res.) Idan Sharon-Kettler, it is a run-of-the-mill exercise in weapons identification.

The German MG-34 has the “markings of an eagle carrying a swastika stamped on it,” said Sharon-Ketler.

Sharon-Kettler told News Media that the Nazi machine gun was used as “propaganda or for morale” of the Iranian regime-backed terrorists in Lebanon. A second Nazi-era assault rifle was confiscated from Hezbollah—the MP 44 (also termed StG 44).

Hamas and Hezbollah, both of whom are designated by the U.S. as terrorist organizations, employed sophisticated methods to transform vehicles into high-intensity offensive weapons. So-called dual-use technology (equipment that can be used for civilian and military purposes) is the bread and butter of Hamas and Hezbollah.

“Motorcycles like these took Israelis hostages,” said Sharon-Kettler, as he showed an Egyptian Halawa Motors motorcycle that was captured in Israel on 10/7. The Iranian regime-backed Hamas terrorist movement killed over 1,200 people on 10/7, including more than 40 American citizens. Hamas took over 250 people hostage on the same day.

The IDF also captured rockets from Palestinian Islamic Jihad that were used as “propaganda dummies” during parades against Israel in Gaza.

The IDF seized all-terrain vehicles (ATV) used by Hezbollah in Lebanon to hold rockets and terrorists. One captured ATV was designed to hold six rockets with launchers.”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,” said Sharon-Kettler.

He said the ATVs provide great utility for Hezbollah in the rugged, hilly landscape of southern Lebanon.

Iranian-produced mortars were also on display at the IDF base. “We found hundreds” of mortars in Lebanon, said Sharon-Kettler. The IDF captured drones, including decay drones. Sharon-Kettler said some of the Hezbollah drones are used “to make noise” in order to “divert [IDF]resources.”

According to Sharon-Kettler, the IDF captured “dozens” of Iranian regime-produced canons in south Lebanese villages, where Hezbollah’s core base exists. “In many houses the canons were pointing out of windows,” said Sharon-Kettler. One cannon seized in Lebanon was of Russian origin.

Hezbollah, like its counterpart Hamas in Gaza, embeds its terrorists in residential areas and civilian structures, including hospitals, schools and mosques. The IDF storage facility was packed with Russian-produced AK-47 automatic rifles and various versions of it.

The IDF captured more recent Russian AK-103 and AK-104 automatic rifles in southern Lebanon. “Light sniper rifles, some made in Iran, some Russian, are very common with Hezbollah and Hamas,” said Sharon-Kettler.

Israel’s army also seized a highly decorated Turkish hunting rifle that was used by Hezbollah. The IDF found many highly sophisticated Austrian Steyr sniper rifles, including the Austrian Steyr HS .50 caliber sniper rifle, in possession of Hezbollah. Sharon-Kettler showed an Iranian replicated version of the Steyr sniper rifle.

The IDF collected submachine guns in Lebanon that were manufactured by China and Russia, as well as anti-tank launchers produced by Russia and Iran, said the IDF weapons expert.

Additional merchandise seized by the IDF includes all the trappings of a professional army and guerrilla terrorist forces. Well-crafted uniforms made in Syria, China and Lebanon along with helmets, anti-shrapnel vests, and medical kits are part of the IDF’s confiscated war equipment.

Sharon-Kettler explained the reasons for Israel being in Lebanon. “Even after the agreement we had with the Lebanese army and government, once we entered Lebanon again, we kept finding everything that is here. For me, it means, if we are not doing the work to clean Lebanon from military entities targeting are civilians, nobody else is doing that.”

The IDF commander referred to the November 2024 ceasefire agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel to cease the war between Jerusalem and the Hezbollah terrorist organization. Hezbollah joined Hamas in its war on Israel on Oct. 8, 2023

A State Department official recently told Fox News on background that the U.S.-led effort for Lebanon’s government to disarm Hezbollah and for a staged withdrawal of IDF troops from southern Lebanon will continue.

The next round of talks is scheduled for early September in Rome. The State Department official said, “We feel good about the trajectory” of the talks and added, “We are not naive about the difficulties. Hezbollah is trying to sabotage the process, and both Israel and Lebanon are democracies under domestic political stress. But the fact that the teams sat together, communicated directly, and generated options is itself a structural change.”

Jessica Castro, known for her role on “Married at First Sight,” has spoken out once more in the wake of the tragic passing of her former husband, Ryan de Nino, who was also her co-star on the show.

Castro responded to a follower’s inquiry on Instagram concerning her apparent silence about de Nino’s death. “Yes, unfortunately, it’s true. I heard the news yesterday,” she confirmed in a comment.

Expressing her feelings further, the reality TV personality elaborated, “It was never my place to say anything, even though I knew before it went public. I’m honoring his family’s need for respect and privacy.”

On Saturday, Castro took to Instagram Stories to reshare a screenshot of the dialogue she had regarding the news.

The first report of de Nino’s passing was published by TMZ on Friday. According to a family insider, de Nino died “suddenly” in New Jersey earlier in the week. He was 40 years old.

Castro exclusively told Page Six on Friday evening she had “not had contact with Ryan in years so I have/had no idea what his life entailed.”

“However, I do send my sincerest condolences to his family during this very difficult time,” she went on. “I can not imagine what they are going through. May he rest peacefully.”

Also on Friday, de Nino’s sister, Melissa de Nino, remembered her brother with a heartfelt social media tribute on Facebook.

“He was fiercely loyal to those he loved,” she wrote alongside photos from their childhood. “He had a huge heart, always. I can’t explain what it’s like to lose a sibling.”

“Someone who’s been there from the beginning and shares the same memories.”

Melissa concluded, “No matter what we were going through, I loved him immensely. Life as I know it will never be the same.” 

Castro and de Nino met and married on Season 2 of the reality series, opting to stay together even after their six-week trial period.

Following the end of the season, however, the former couple called it quits in 2015, with things escalating after Castro filed for a restraining order against de Nino — who subsequently shared a cropped image of the order, writing that he was “in awe” and “disgusted.”

The New York Post reported at the time that Castro claimed in court filings that de Nino allegedly made death threats against her and her family.

Per a petition, Castro alleged he said he would “break [her] into f–king pieces.”

“I will break your dad into pieces,” the alleged threat went on. “I will make your whole family disappear — and your f–king dog-ass sister’s boyfriend.”

Castro also alleged that at the “Married at First Sight” reunion taping, de Nino was caught on a hot mic uttering, “She’s f–king dead. When I get back to Brooklyn, she’s f–king dead, this girl.”

At the time, Castro’s lawyer told ABC News that their priority was to protect her from “all threats to her safety and well-being.”

“We don’t know all the details and can’t comment on the specifics,” the series’ producer, Kinetic Content, told The Post back in 2015.

“What we can say is that unfortunately, couples on the show can go through real divorces, and divorce can often be difficult.”

They added, “We wish them nothing but the best, and hope they have a bright future ahead of them.”

In a striking courtroom appearance this week, Redmond O’Neal, the sole descendant of Hollywood icons Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O’Neal, presented a noticeable transformation.

The 41-year-old, known for his troubled history, traded his previously buzzed red hair for longer locks, strategically concealing the infamous devil horn tattoos on his forehead, which were earlier unveiled by the Daily Mail.

However, his revamped appearance seemed to reveal something potentially more alarming.

In images captured by the Daily Mail, what appeared to be a new set of ‘SS’ lightning-bolt tattoos were visible on the left side of his neck.

The timing of the tattoo’s addition remains ambiguous, yet the imagery, if confirmed, carries heavy connotations. Historically, this symbol was associated with the SS, the notorious paramilitary division of Nazi Germany, and has been appropriated as a hate symbol by white supremacist factions.

O’Neal has been in custody since his May 2018 arrest following an alleged week-long crime spree in Los Angeles during which he is accused of attacking two actors, threatening a café worker with a knife and attempting to rob a convenience store.

O’Neal’s case was stalled for years over concerns about his mental competency.

He was found incompetent to stand trial and spent years in state psychiatric hospitals before being deemed competent to proceed with the case.

Dana Cole, one of O’Neal’s defense attorneys, did not deny his client has the tattoo, but insisted the lightning ink is not new. 

‘In my discussions with Redmond, I have never detected any racist supremacist attitudes,’ Cole told the Daily Mail.

‘I think he’s a very changed man and he got those tattoos many years ago when he was suffering from serious mental illness. It is unfortunate that while in prison, there is no process to get rid of offensive tattoos, which I’m sure he wants to do.’ 

Cole added: ‘He has been nothing but respectful to me and in the discussions that we’ve had. While I don’t know for a fact, from what I understand, inmates are forced to align to certain hate groups for self-preservation.’

In total, O’Neal is facing 13 charges, including felony attempted murder with a special allegation that he premeditated and deliberately tried to kill actor Seth Folkerson.

O’Neal also was charged with battery, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance and second-degree robbery. Kenneth Fox, one of the alleged assault victims, testified that O’Neal struck him in the face with a glass bottle while hurling homophobic slurs. 

O’Neal faces a potential life sentence if convicted of the charges. He has denied all of the charges.

During the preliminary hearing in June, LA County Superior Court Commissioner James P. Cooper ruled prosecutors proved there was enough probable cause to hold O’Neal to the 13 charges. 

On Thursday, O’Neal was back in court in front of a different judge for his arraignment, but his defense attorneys asked to push back the hearing to October.

When the LA County Superior Court Judge William L. Sadler asked O’Neal if he agreed to continue his arraignment, he quietly replied, ‘Yes, sir, your Honor.’

The judge ordered a no bail hold for O’Neal, who will remain at Patton State Hospital, a forensic psychiatric hospital in San Bernardino, California, where he will continue his mental health treatments as he awaits trial.

Before he was ushered out of the courtroom by the bailiff, O’Neal looked back into the audience and smiled at his godmother, Mela Murphy, who smiled back at him. 

After Thursday’s hearing, Cole told the Daily Mail they asked to continue the arraignment because they plan to file a motion to dismiss some of the charges, including the second-degree robbery charge involving a 7-Eleven clerk and an assault with a deadly weapon charge involving a female cafè employee named Samantha Cline. 

‘The reason why we wanted to continue the arraignment is to file a motion regarding the list of charges to see if some can be dismissed due to the time he’s already spent in custody,’ Cole said.

Cline testified during a preliminary hearing in June that O’Neal walked into a cafè in Venice, California where she was working.

The former barista said she remembered that O’Neal allegedly threatened her and her coworker and yelled, ‘Stop staring at me’ before punching the shop’s espresso machine.’

Brandishing a knife, O’Neal then went behind the counter to where Cline was standing.  

During the preliminary hearing, prosecutors played surveillance footage from the cafè as Cline recounted the alleged attack.  

‘I was wary of him when he came in,’ Cline testified. ‘He seemed like he was looking at our tip jar. I don’t think he had a menacing glare, but I was watching him.’

‘He pulled a knife out of his pocket and came toward me with a knife in his hand,’ Cline recalled. ‘I thought to myself, ‘I don’t want to die in this moment.”

Cole said they also plan to challenge the assault with a deadly weapon charge in connection to Fox’s allegations against O’Neal.

During the preliminary hearing, an emotional Fox testified O’Neal allegedly hurled homophobic slurs at him as he repeatedly kicked and then beat him over the head with a glass bottle.

However, police who responded to the call testified that their reports did not indicate that Fox told them about the homophobic slurs.

In his closing argument, Cole alleged Fox lied on the stand and said the body cam footage from police did not match the actor’s testimony.

‘When the police officers asked on two or three occasions what happened, [Fox] said, ‘I was punched in the nose.’ And that is all he says,’ Cole told the commissioner. ‘If you reach the transcript, you will see they’re having nothing but a very polite, very sensitive, very sympathetic conversation with Mr. Fox. So, frankly, 94 percent of what [Fox] said is a lie.’

Fox sued O’Neal in September 2018 but settled the case for an undisclosed amount, according to court records. The Daily Mail has reached out to Fox and his attorneys for comment. 

Another actor, Seth Folkerson, also testified O’Neal allegedly attacked him as he was walking to his car parked on 4th Street in Venice Beach on May 4, 2018.

Folkerson said his throat was slit along the carotid artery, and he was stabbed on his left temple and in his right pectoral muscle. He said the stab wounds were deep enough that his lung and liver were ruptured in the attack.

Folkerson testified he was in the hospital for about four and a half months and continues to suffer from health issues because of the attack. He also testified that he does not remember a lot about the day of his alleged attack because of the head wounds he suffered when O’Neal allegedly stabbed him five times.

Murphy, who has been O’Neal’s constant support, has told the Daily Mail that her godson ‘found God’ during his incarceration and his mental health has improved since he has received treatment at Patton State Hospital.

Mental health records obtained by the Daily Mail show O’Neal was diagnosed in 2017 with schizophrenia, alcohol abuse, as well as meth and cocaine abuse. 

His mother, Charlie’s Angel actress Farrah Faecett, died on June 29, 2009, at 62 after battling anal cancer when O’Neal was 24. 

His father, Academy Award nominee Ryan O’Neal, died on December 8, 2023, at 82 from congestive heart failure.

In a 2018 jail interview with Radar Online shortly after he was arrested, O’Neal blamed his father for his downward spiral.

‘It’s not the drugs that have been a problem, it’s the psychological trauma of my entire life – my whole life experiences have affected me the most,’ he said at the time, alleging his father had kicked him out and he had been living on the streets.’

Although Indiana recently axed its future series with Notre Dame, head coach Curt Cignetti remains hopeful for a future clash between the teams.

As he expressed his desire for the matchup, Cignetti appeared to jab subtly at the local rival.

“I’d like to play Notre Dame,” Cignetti remarked this week. “Since they’re not in a conference, they ought to come to our place twice, and we’ll head there once.”

Interestingly, Cignetti’s bold comments come amid speculation that Indiana was the party to initially back out of the high-profile non-conference matchup.

Reports surfaced earlier this month via The Athletic, indicating that it was Indiana who sought to call off the home-and-home series slated for 2030 and 2031 with Notre Dame.

The Hoosiers were set to go to South Bend in 2030 before welcoming the Fighting Irish a year later. 

Notre Dame has since revived its longtime rivalry matchup with USC in 2031, adding a high-profile opponent to their schedule in the coming years.

The two teams agreed to a new four-year series beginning in 2030 after their rivalry was paused this season after having met every year aside from a three-season hiatus from 1943-45 during World War II and the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Indiana, which came out of nowhere to win the national championship a year ago, currently has a light non-conference schedule compared to other title contenders. 

This season, they’ll take on North Texas, Howard and Western Kentucky before their Big 10 schedule. 

During Big 10 media days a year ago, Cignetti indicated that it wasn’t an accident. 

“We figured we would just adopt an SEC scheduling philosophy,” he said. “Some people don’t like it. I’m more focused on those nine conference games.”

Notre Dame has faced criticism of its own for a relatively light 2026 schedule, particularly with USC off the slate and several of its ACC opponents expected to struggle.