ALBAWABA - The Wall Street Journal said that Hezbollah has a massive rocket, drone, and sophisticated anti-tank missile arsenal to confront an Israeli ground assault.
In "Hezbollah's Massive Arsenal Awaits Israel in Lebanon," the newspaper highlighted Israel's airstrikes and remotely controlled detonations against Hezbollah in recent days. These moves have put Lebanon on the defensive.
The research cautions that a ground confrontation with Hezbollah would be very different despite Israel's intelligence and technical advantages. The organization has been hitting Israeli forces for about a year and now possesses the Iranian-made "Almas" anti-tank missile. This missile, believed to be a modified Israeli "Spike," was acquired by Hezbollah during the 2006 fight and improves its accuracy.
The "Almas" missile, like the American "Javelin," helps Hezbollah attack more accurately. In January 2024, the organization struck a radar facility and other military targets on a hill in northern Israel using this weapon.
The analysis says that if a land battle breaks out, much like the 2006 conflict, Hezbollah will benefit on its strengths in southern Lebanon. This might turn into a protracted, bloody war like Israel's in Gaza.
In recent months, Hezbollah has expanded southern Lebanon tunnel networks, relocated militants, and stocked additional weaponry for war. U.S. and regional authorities have also seen an uptick in Iranian weaponry supplies to Hezbollah, including long-range missiles and small guns.
A former Hezbollah military commander characterized the south of Lebanon as well prepared, noting, "It's a beehive down there..." Whatever Iran has, we have."
Hisbollah has received hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones during the 2006 battle, expanding its arsenal tremendously. The outfit has also added guidance systems to its earlier, unguided missiles and gained combat experience. Hezbollah's advanced drones destroyed a radar surveillance balloon in May and a costly anti-drone defensive system in June.
Hezbollah attacked an Israeli military company in Haifa, Israel's third-largest city. Israel said the gang got farther into Israeli territory than normal, but it has not verified the aim.
Military analysts say Hezbollah might launch a massive missile assault and use drone swarms to overwhelm Israel's air defenses, targeting military outposts, ports, and crucial infrastructure like the power system. Israeli police expect many casualties from such strikes.
Israeli Brigadier General (ret.) Assaf Orion said, "Full-scale conflict would be difficult... Heavy losses are inevitable."
Hezbollah may not be able to win a conventional battle, but the Wall Street Journal reports that the group's goal is to pull Israel into a prolonged struggle. Like Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah would wage a lengthy attrition campaign against Israel.
Israel possesses F-35 fighter fighters and a multi-layered air defense system, but its air supremacy would enable widespread attacks, which may cripple Lebanon's infrastructure like in 2006.
