Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.

Hezbollah's increasing threat to Israeli security

  • By Lea Akil
  • Source: Al Mayadeen English
  • 17 Aug 2024 18:04
  • 7 Shares
9 Min Read

From its drone fleet reigning the skies to deeply fortified missile facilities concealed underground, Hezbollah continues to threaten "Israel's" security.

  • x
  • .
    From skies to tunnels: Hezbollah's growing threat to Israeli security. (Designed by Ali Al-Hadi Shmeiss, Al Mayadeen English)

While the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah has explicitly stated that it does not seek war, this should not be mistaken for a lack of readiness or capability. Hezbollah has effectively showcased its intelligence and operational prowess time and time again.

Over the years, Hezbollah’s intelligence and operational capabilities have undergone remarkable advancements, enabling the group to pose a serious challenge to Israeli security and intelligence on multiple fronts. From its drone fleet reigning the skies, unintercepted, to deeply fortified underground missile facilities, Hezbollah has strategically exceeded "Israel's" expectations.

Hezbollah’s aerial intelligence

During the 1990s, Hezbollah's intelligence capabilities blossomed against the backdrop of the Israeli occupation of Lebanon. As the confrontations intensified, Hezbollah’s ability to gather, analyze, and act on critical information further developed. This period marked a turning point, showcasing Hezbollah's evolution into a highly effective and coordinated force capable of challenging one of the region’s most powerful militaries.

Erez Gerstein's assassination 

Brigadier General Erez Gerstein, who headed the IOF’s Liaison Unit in Lebanon, became a primary target of the Israeli incursions into South Lebanon because of his active participation in coordinating strikes with the Lahd forces – collaborators who were turned into an anti-Resistance mercenary force to replace “Israel’s” presence in South Lebanon. His importance was also associated with the fact that he coordinated Israeli activities in his area of responsibility. The skill with which such a senior military figure had been targeted necessitates a good deal of sophistication concerning the means available to Hezbollah.

Undoubtedly, the intelligence networks that were placed within the Israeli military, with respect to his operational order, were sophisticated enough to monitor and understand every detail of his operational order.

The operation for the Gerstein assassination was conducted on the 28th of February 1999, while applying a great deal of care and exactness. Fighters from Hezbollah bombed a stretch of the highway, which was regularly utilized by Gerstein’s convoy. Apart from bettering the group’s Israeli-killing bingo cards, eliminating this man made known to them within the group:

Hezbollah's intelligence in al-Naseriya

Hezbollah showcased its intelligence was on full display during the standoff at al-Ansariyyah, a village located in South Lebanon, back in 2008. The vibrant region is of strategic importance because of its link to the Israeli Southern Frontier. The magnitude of the Hezbollah counterintelligence efforts is clear because the local informants that they had recruited were monitored utilizing sophisticated surveillance systems.

By withstanding Israeli intelligence efforts in al-Ansariyyah, Hezbollah showcased its all-encompassing operational prowess, bringing forth one critical paradigm: al-Ansariyyah is home to one of the more sophisticated intelligence networks operated by Israelis around the world. The combination of Israel's sophisticated wonders and capabilities proved to be futile vs the grassroots level_local intelligence countermeasures awaiting them. Resistance succeeded in the face of defeat owing to timely information saturation. Providing multi-layer cover and countermeasures, they countered the Israeli attempt to breach their core infrastructure while coming out on top.

What made this achievement particularly notable was the context concerning “Israel”. In the region, its intelligence sections and other associated bodies for example, Mossad Aman operate on open, broad spectrum, advancing STEM branches predicated including SIGINTs, voyeurism, and espionage execution_domainillugit

Mirsad-1, Mirsad-2

The Mirsad-1 and Mirsad-2 drones are considered historical examples of Hezbollah's early drone capabilities. Since their initial use in the mid-2000s, Hezbollah has significantly advanced its drone technology.

Related News

Israeli drone strike kills civilian in southern Lebanon

Lebanon’s Aoun urges US to press 'Israel' for pullout from South

The Mirsad-1 was unveiled on November 7, 2004, as it made its first known flight into occupied Palestine's airspace, going from northern occupied Palestine all the way to Nahariya. The flight lasted about 20 minutes, and the drone returned safely to Lebanon. This was a significant moment, as it marked Hezbollah’s first successful use of a UAV over the occupied territories. 

Between 2005 and 2006, the Mirsad-2 was reported to have been used in subsequent reconnaissance missions. While specific dates of flights remain unclear, these operations took place mainly during the period leading up to and during the 2006 July War. 

Ayoub drone

The Ayoub drone represents a significant advancement in Hezbollah’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities. Making its first appearance in 2019, the Ayoub drone flew over occupied Palestine's airspace, gathering intelligence and testing Israeli air capabilities. 

The drone was equipped with high-resolution cameras and other sensors that enabled it to gather detailed imagery and real-time intelligence on Israeli military installations, infrastructure, and other strategic targets. The successful infiltration of the Ayoub drone highlighted Hezbollah’s ability to cut through Israeli security and project power. 

The Hoopoe drone series

The Hoopoe drone series, released amid the ongoing war on Gaza, served as a powerful illustration of Hezbollah’s intelligence prowess. The name, taken from the Quranic symbol of a skilled bird messenger, reflects Hezbollah’s strategic intent, which is to demonstrate that it has eyes on critical Israeli infrastructure and that it can infiltrate Israeli security undetected. The series also demonstrated Hezbollah's intelligence capabilities, as they revealed specific details of the footage the drone came back with. 

In these videos, Hezbollah’s drones returned with high-resolution imagery of key targets like Haifa Port, Rafael’s military-industrial complex, and densely populated urban areas such as the Krayot. The detailed footage of strategic sites is a stark reminder to "Israel" of the extent to which Hezbollah’s intelligence capabilities have grown. The message is clear, Hezbollah can monitor, surveil, and potentially strike high-value targets with precision at any time.

In the first video release, titled "This is what the Hoopoe came back with," the nine-and-a-half-minute video captured footage and exposed sensitive Israeli sites. The published footage included intelligence about Israeli sites inside occupied Palestine and clearly showed that the drone arrived at the port of Haifa intact.

Hezbollah's drones brought back footage and information about sensitive sites they captured over Haifa, starting with the port itself, to oil refineries and military factories, not to mention the locations of military battleships and important economic hubs in the port.

In the second video release, the 10-minute video showcased footage of six strategic electronic reconnaissance sites in the occupied Syrian Golan; the western and eastern Shlagim sites, the Astra site, the Yisraeli site, the Avital site, and the Tel Fares site. According to the information provided in the video, these Israeli sites are tasked with espionage, guidance, long-range monitoring, and electronic attacks involving jamming and subterfuge.

In the third video release, the special episode showed the Ramat David Airbase, the only Israeli military airbase in northern occupied Palestine, which is 46 km away from the Lebanese border. The video captured by the Hoopoe drone, which successfully evaded Israeli surveillance and interception systems for the third time, showed all the facilities associated with the Ramat David airbase.

Underground fortifications: Imad-4 missile facility

The recent unveiling of the Imad-4 missile facility further emphasized Hezbollah’s advancement in both intelligence and strategic deterrence. This hidden facility houses long-range ballistic missiles, designed to remain undetected by Israeli intelligence. By revealing this site, Hezbollah aims to counter Israeli narratives that aim to downplay its capabilities, while asserting that its strategic weapons are well-protected and ready for action.

Analysts suggest that Hezbollah's video may have conveyed a subliminal message, implying that the missile facility could be located in the occupied al-Jalil, within the occupied territories, or potentially lead to a site inside the occupied territories.

The Imad-4 video, titled “Our Mountains, Our Strongholds” further underscores Hezbollah’s message and serves as a rebuttal to years of Israeli propaganda focusing on the so-called “storehouses” narratives, which suggested that Hezbollah’s missiles were poorly hidden among civilian infrastructure. The reality, as demonstrated by the group’s underground silos and fortified bunkers, is far more sophisticated. The Resistance’s methods of concealing and deploying its missile arsenal present a formidable challenge to any Israeli plans for preemptive strikes.

The Islamic Resistance in #Lebanon, #Hezbollah, published a new video of a sophisticated underground facility and tunnel network that includes missile launchpads.

The video serves as a clear message to the Israeli occupation amid the growing tension on the Lebanese-#Palestinian… pic.twitter.com/KTSUfhBmfG

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 16, 2024

Israeli media referred to the missiles revealed in the video as "doomsday weaponry" and noted the extensive and well-equipped nature of these facilities, which include features, such as illuminated tunnels, missile launchpads, and extensive storage areas.

As the Resistance released footage of the Hoopoe drones, Hoopoe 1, 2, and 3—each in a clear, sequential order, the appearance of the Imad-4 facility in a jarring, out-of-sequence reveal introduces an intriguing twist.

Might this deliberate chronological anomaly signify something more encoded, perhaps a discrete countdown to a pivotal moment?

The regional front

The timing of these revelations is no coincidence. With the genocide ongoing in Gaza and increasing pressure on the northern front, Hezbollah’s display of its intelligence and operational capabilities stands as a stark warning. Politically, it provides leverage to Palestinian factions, particularly Hamas, during ceasefire talks. Militarily, it sends a message to Israeli decision-makers that any escalation will come at a hefty price. By unveiling its underground and aerial strengths, Hezbollah is forcing "Israel" to reconsider the potential consequences of further escalation or even a full-scale war. 

While Hezbollah's intelligence capabilities in the air and underground have become increasingly developed, the group's maritime strength is not a new concern for "Israel". In 2006, during the July War, Hezbollah showcased its naval prowess when it struck the Israeli Sa’ar 5-class INS Hanit warship off the coast of Lebanon. This surprise attack was a pivotal moment, demonstrating Hezbollah's ability to effectively undermine Israeli naval supremacy using anti-ship missiles.

So, the question remains: with Hezbollah unveiling its capabilities and prowess in the air and underground, does the future hold any similar achievements to be unveiled from the depths of the sea? 

  • South Lebanon
  • Hezbollah missiles
  • Israel
  • Hezbollah
  • Hezbollah Hoopoe
  • Hoopoe
  • Lebanon
  • Islamic resistance in Lebanon
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Friday, September 27, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' stops unfunded diplomacy ahead of UN, October 7 memorial

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet releases flares over the Gaza Strip, is seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OIC summit draft: Israeli attack on Qatar risks normalization

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP)
Sports

Pro-Palestine protests force abrupt end to Vuelta a España finale

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS