New Details on Hezbollah’s Weapons Sources
During the military maneuver in southern Lebanon between September and October, tens of thousands of Hezbollah’s weapons were seized. A study by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, published today (Monday), reveals surprising details about the origins of these weapons.
Gradual Escalation: Hezbollah’s Tactics
Starting October 8, 2023, a war lasting over a year unfolded between Israel and Hezbollah. The terrorist organization employed a wide range of weapons, including rockets, ballistic missiles, anti-tank missiles, recoilless rifles, mortars, and drones. Most of the weapons were smuggled from Russia and Iran, with some produced by Hezbollah itself.
During the conflict, Hezbollah adopted a strategy of gradual escalation, introducing increasingly precise and advanced weaponry in response to what it perceived as “disproportionate” Israeli strikes. These escalations often followed flare-ups in the Gaza Strip or assassinations of senior Hezbollah commanders. By the end of the conflict, the IDF had significantly damaged Hezbollah’s infrastructure and eliminated most of its top leadership, including Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
Hezbollah’s “Toughest Campaign”
In its propaganda materials on Telegram, Hezbollah summarized its actions against Israel from September 17, 2024, until the ceasefire took effect on November 27, 2024. During this period, the organization claimed responsibility for 1,666 attacks, averaging 23 daily. These included:
– 1,285 rocket and missile launches
– 93 artillery shellings
– 166 drone strikes
– 34 surface-to-air missile launches
– 86 guided missile strikes
– 16 sniper and machine gun attacks
– 11 direct weapon assaults
IDF’s Response and Seizures
The IDF responded with overwhelming force, destroying Hezbollah’s infrastructure and seizing over 85,000 weapons during a ground operation in southern Lebanon. The haul included:
– 6,840 RPG launchers, anti-tank missiles, and missile launchers
– 2,250 shells and rockets
– 2,700 light weapons
– 60 anti-aircraft missiles
Russia’s Role and Future Implications
While Iran is often seen as Hezbollah’s main backer, it was revealed that a significant portion—60-70%—of the seized weapons were of Russian origin. These included advanced anti-tank missiles manufactured in 2020. Most of the Russian arms came from Syrian army stockpiles and Russian forces stationed in Syria, highlighting the international dimension of Hezbollah’s armament.
The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center concludes:
“Despite the extensive damage caused by the IDF to Hezbollah’s arsenal during this conflict, it can be assumed that the organization still retains capabilities and knowledge that allow it to pose a threat unless it is completely disarmed throughout Lebanon.”
