Hizbullah's Underground Bases and Missile Arsenal Challenge Israel

Hizbullah, a group designated as a terrorist organization by Western nations, has proven remarkably resilient against Israel, a country with the Middle East's strongest military. The Shiite militant group, which lacks statehood and UN recognition, fields an estimated 60,000 fighters, a force bolstered by 150,000 missiles and rockets, a stark increase from 14,000 in 2006. Their arsenal includes Iranian-made precision-guided missiles capable of reaching all of Israel. Experts note Hizbullah's current capabilities are its most significant since Israel's founding in 1948.

Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Hizbullah has engaged Israeli forces along the Lebanon border. The group has also prepared a special forces unit for potential incursions into Israel during an open war. Observers anticipate Hizbullah would open a new front against Israel if the conflict escalates.

Hizbullah's survival strategy hinges on asymmetric warfare. They leverage challenging terrain, extensive underground bunkers, and local population support, eschewing conventional battles for short-range rocket attacks. These rockets are launched from decentralized cells hidden in caves, homes, or bunkers. The group also deploys fiber-optic drones resistant to Israeli electronic warfare. In urban or hilly areas, Hizbullah resorts to guerrilla tactics, making direct Israeli assaults difficult due to the risk of civilian casualties and subsequent international criticism.

In 2023 alone, 47 Hizbullah fighters were killed by Israeli missile strikes. This led the group to shift its strategy, reducing its ground infantry forces targeting Israel and increasingly relying on anti-aircraft missiles to counter Israeli air attacks. This adaptation aims to sustain support for Hamas while preparing for a protracted conflict. Iran remains Hizbullah's primary backer, providing an estimated $700 million annually for financial needs, military training, and weaponry, with Syria also offering support.

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Hizbullah's current capabilities are its most significant since Israel's founding in 1948.