Hezbollah in Lebanon has a vast stockpile of weapons, mostly funded and developed with Iranian support, security experts say.
Israel’s military recently targeted and killed a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut after a deadly attack on a children’s soccer field in Israel’s Golan Heights. U.S. and Israeli officials point to Hezbollah as responsible, despite the group’s denials.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) revealed that the rocket used in the attack was an Iranian-made Falaq-1, with a warhead of over 100 pounds of explosives. However, experts from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) say this is only a small part of Hezbollah’s extensive arsenal.
Hezbollah is estimated to have around 150,000 various types of weapons, including mortars, unguided rockets, and ballistic missiles. The group also has between 40,000 and 80,000 short-range rockets capable of hitting northern Israel. Thanks to Iranian help, Hezbollah can also target deeper into Israel.
The FDD report highlights that Hezbollah’s improved weaponry means Israel cannot rely on old strategies and must push Hezbollah further north to limit their threat. Hezbollah stores its weapons in underground facilities in southern Lebanon, Beirut, and the Bekaa Valley, which complicates Israeli defense efforts.
Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, there has been a sharp increase in attacks against Israel, including around 3,000 from Hezbollah. International pressure is growing for Israel to agree to a cease-fire to prevent further conflict.
The U.S. State Department believes a full-scale war is not imminent, emphasizing diplomatic efforts. However, Richard Goldberg from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies warns that a major conflict could be possible if Hezbollah continues its aggression, particularly if Israel targets Iran’s nuclear program.