Hezbollah stockpiles thousands of precision munitions: Israeli analyst

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
10 May 2024 00:19
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Despite seven months of concerted efforts to neutralize Hezbollah operatives, the operational capabilities of the Al-Ridwan Force appear largely unscathed.

Smoke rises in northern occupied Palestine following a rocket strike from southern Lebanon, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. (AP)

A recent report by the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom has brought to light the ongoing challenges faced by the Israeli army in its efforts to diminish the strength of Hezbollah's Al-Ridwan Force.

Despite seven months of concerted efforts to "neutralize Hezbollah operatives, the operational capabilities of the Al-Ridwan Force appear largely unscathed," the Israeli report notes.

Last month, Israeli Security Minister Yoav Galant, in a visit to the northern command, proudly announced that half of Hezbollah's commanders in southern Lebanon had been eliminated.

However, subsequent statements from Galant, including one made this week in front of the "Galilee" Division, indicate that the mission is far from over, hinting at the potential for a heated summer.

Speaking at an academic security conference in a settlement in occupied Western Al-Jalil, analysts shed light on the effectiveness of the Israeli elimination policy in Lebanon.

Despite the reported deaths of hundreds of Hezbollah members, including senior officials such as Jawad Al-Tawil, whom the report labeled as the commander of the Al-Ridwan Force, the group's operational efficiency remains formidable.

Tal Barri, head of the research department at the specialized Alma Institute for Northern Affairs, warned that Hezbollah retains the capability to execute limited-scale invasions into "Israel," even with smaller numbers.

Barri stressed that Hezbollah's military capacity remains robust, with estimates suggesting a significant increase in precision weapons owned by the organization.

According to the report, the persistence of an active security zone in northern occupied Palestine represents an ongoing threat posed by Hezbollah.

Barri noted that Hezbollah's organizational structure enables it to withstand significant losses and adapt to changing circumstances, making the resistance group "a formidable adversary."

Barri's assessment paints a grim picture of the situation, suggesting that any political agreement with Hezbollah is unlikely to prevent future conflict in the region.

With tensions escalating, the prospect of a comprehensive confrontation looms closer, with some some Israeli analysts predicting a showdown as early as 2026.