Hezbollah has been preparing for a potential new war with Israel, replenishing its stockpiles of rockets and drones with support from Iran and its own manufacturing capabilities, according to sources familiar with the situation. After suffering losses in the 2024 conflict with Israel, the group believes that another round of fighting is unavoidable and could pose an existential threat to its existence.
Hezbollah’s media office, represented by Youssef al-Zein, declined to comment on military activities but stated that the group is committed to fighting “to the last breath. ” The organization, founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982, had recently launched attacks against Israel in response to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, indicating that it had prepared for military operations prior to the conflict escalation.
To support its military efforts, Hezbollah has a monthly budget of $50 million, mainly sourced from Iran, which is used for fighters’ salaries and has also aided displaced Lebanese families from the previous war. Approximately 60,000 people remain displaced in Lebanon due to conflict. Hezbollah has focused on rebuilding its drone and rocket inventory and has been engaging in both smuggling and local manufacturing, although reports suggest that its production capabilities have declined.
The Israeli military has asserted that Hezbollah still possesses significant arms and is actively seeking to rearm, while also trying to prevent smuggling operations. A recent war in 2024 concluded with a ceasefire, but tensions remained high with Israel continuing attacks on Hezbollah’s rearmament efforts. Lebanon has attempted to confiscate Hezbollah’s weapons; however, reports indicate that Hezbollah is rearming more quickly than it is being disarmed.
The urgency of Hezbollah’s military preparations is reflected in their attacks, the volume of which has increased significantly within days. On March 2, the group launched 60 drones and rockets, and by March 4, this number had more than doubled, suggesting that they were drawing from larger weapon caches. Estimates indicate that Hezbollah may have around 25,000 rockets and missiles ready for deployment.
As the conflict has escalated, Hezbollah has redeployed fighters from its elite Radwan force, who had been pulled back after the previous conflict. Israeli military actions post-ceasefire targeted Hezbollah’s training camps and weapon storage facilities, leading to recruitment challenges within the group. Following heavy losses in the 2024 war, where Hezbollah lost about 5,000 fighters, it reportedly still has around 95,000 fighters available.
As conflict with Israel seems imminent, Hezbollah believes that it must act preemptively. Sources indicate that the group feels a sense of urgency as it expects that Israel will soon launch significant strikes aimed at weakening its capabilities. There is a belief within Hezbollah that they are likely to become Israel’s next target, reinforcing their resolve to take action before that happens.
With information from Reuters
