Is this Hezbollah's arsenal against Israel?
Much of what is known publicly comes from statements by the group and Nasrallah himself, who has claimed that Hezbollah has used only "a portion of our weapons" in recent attacks on northern Israel.
Israel Hayom
Aug 11, 2024
Hezbollah has been investing considerable resources in upgrading its missile arsenal
Tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have reached a critical point following Israel's recent killing of top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. The situation is further complicated by Iran's threats of retaliation after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. These developments have raised fears of a potential full-scale war engulfing Israel, Lebanon, and much of the region.
Over the past 10 months, Hezbollah has been engaged in cross-border conflict with Israel, employing tactics such as saturation attacks to test Israel's aerial defenses. The group has also unveiled new weapons in response to the killing of senior commanders within Lebanon. Hezbollah, which evolved from Lebanon's civil war to become one of the most powerful non-state actors in the Middle East, has been preparing for this moment since 2006, when Israeli forces last invaded Lebanon.
The Washington Post reports that Hezbollah has significantly bolstered its arsenal with large shipments of rockets and drones from Iran, and has recently begun manufacturing its own weapons. The group claims to possess air defense capabilities, a rare feature among militia groups. According to the Post, analysts estimate that Hezbollah's arsenal includes between 130,000 and 150,000 rockets and missiles, more than four times the number Hamas was believed to have stockpiled before the war in Gaza.
Hezbollah's leader, Hasan Nasrallah, has stated that the group commands over 100,000 soldiers, which is more than double the high-end estimates of Hamas' pre-war fighting force. The Post notes that while most of Hezbollah's weapons are lower-grade, unguided munitions, the group claims to possess precision munitions that could pose a significant threat to Israel's defenses if deployed en masse.
The full extent of Hezbollah's capabilities remains uncertain, as the group maintains strict secrecy about its arsenal. Much of what is known publicly comes from statements by the group and Nasrallah himself, who has claimed that Hezbollah has used only "a portion of our weapons" in recent attacks on northern Israel. In response to Hezbollah's actions, Israel has conducted intense strikes on Lebanon, primarily in the south, using fighter jets, tanks, Hermes drones, and white phosphorus munitions. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian displacement on both sides of the border.
According to figures compiled by The Washington Post, almost 400 Hezbollah fighters, have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The Lebanese government estimates that these attacks have caused $15 billion in damage and destroyed approximately 1,700 buildings. Israeli officials report that Hezbollah attacks have killed 19 soldiers and 24 civilians, damaged hundreds of homes, and ignited fires that burned more than 40,000 acres.
According to the Post, Hezbollah's arsenal includes a variety of rockets and missiles, ranging from short-range Burkan rockets to more sophisticated Iranian-made Falaq models. The group has also showcased camera-equipped Almas weapons, which are guided antitank missiles capable of piercing heavy armor, the Post reports. According to the report, what might be of particular concern are larger guided ballistic missiles like the Fateh 110, which has a range of up to 185 miles, potentially putting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem within reach. Nasrallah has claimed that Hezbollah possesses precision-guided munitions (PGMs), although these have never been publicly tested or showcased.
Hezbollah's drone fleet is another significant aspect of its military capabilities. The group has used explosives-laden drones in attacks on Israeli army posts and has demonstrated the ability to manufacture its own unmanned aerial vehicles. Commercial drones have also been employed for reconnaissance purposes, with one reportedly flying undetected over Haifa for hours, recording footage of strategic sites.
In addition to offensive capabilities, the Post claims Hezbollah possesses air defense systems, including Iranian-made 358 antiaircraft missiles and possibly more advanced munitions like the Sayyad-2C. These defenses could presumably present a unique challenge to Israel's air superiority in the event of a full-scale conflict. The Post noted that experts have been warning that Hezbollah's strategy of "saturation attacks," involving the simultaneous launch of hundreds of small rockets, could potentially overwhelm Israel's Iron Dome defense system, with the effectiveness of Israel's other defense systems, such as David's Sling and Arrow interceptors, against Hezbollah's ballistic missiles remains uncertain.
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