Hezbollah Shows Military Strength in Clashes with Israel

Over the past 10 months of cross-border clashes with Israel, Hezbollah has gradually revealed more of its military capabilities, according to analysts. On Friday, the group, backed by Iran, released footage showing what appeared to be underground missile facilities, heightening concerns about the potential for full-scale war.

Hezbollah, which has been engaging in almost daily exchanges of fire with Israeli forces in support of its ally Hamas since the October 7 attack on Israel, has increased its military strength since the 2006 war with Israel, analysts say.

The newly released video features Hezbollah fighters transporting large missiles through tunnels at an underground facility. Riad Kahwaji, head of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, noted that this is “the most explicit video Hezbollah has ever released showing the size of its tunnels.” The footage also seemed to display what could be ballistic missiles, a first for the group, which Kahwaji believes is intended to “deter” Israel from launching a major operation against Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has responded by stating that Israel is “prepared both defensively and offensively” and is “determined” to defend itself, particularly after the targeted killings of senior figures like Fouad Shukur from Hezbollah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

The risk of broader conflict has intensified, prompting international diplomatic efforts to avoid escalation. Kahwaji explained that Hezbollah has been testing its tactics and weapons since October, looking for vulnerabilities in Israel’s defense systems, particularly its Iron Dome air defense.

Hezbollah has utilized inexpensive, sometimes locally produced drones to pressure Israeli defenses, releasing videos that purportedly show drone surveillance over military facilities in northern Israel, including Haifa and the Golan Heights. These drones, which are small and difficult to detect, help Hezbollah identify blind spots in Israeli radar systems.

According to military analyst and retired Lebanese army general Khalil Helou, Hezbollah has been firing Katyusha rockets, drones, and guided missiles simultaneously to overwhelm Israel’s Iron Dome. While the Iron Dome is effective against indirect fire like rockets, it is not designed to intercept direct fire, such as anti-tank missiles, which can cause substantial damage.

Aram Nerguizian, a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, described Hezbollah’s probing actions as a “double-edged sword.” These actions expose gaps in Israeli defenses, providing learning opportunities for Hezbollah, but also reveal Hezbollah’s capabilities to Israeli countermeasures.

Despite the rising tensions, Hezbollah has indicated that only a Gaza ceasefire deal will halt its attacks. The conflict has claimed the lives of about 570 people in Lebanon, most of whom were Hezbollah fighters, along with at least 118 civilians, according to an AFP tally. On the Israeli side, 22 soldiers and 26 civilians, including those in the Golan Heights, have been killed.

Kahwaji also noted that while Hezbollah wants to avoid provoking Israel into an all-out war, its strategy seems limited to firing more missiles and increasing its war rhetoric to demonstrate defiance, as it lacks the ability to assassinate Israeli leaders and military commanders.