Daijiworld Media Network – Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Oct 22: Hezbollah is rebuilding its military capabilities in Beirut, while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting with the group if it attacks Israeli territory during an escalation involving Iran, a security official told Walla on Wednesday.
The official said Israel was dissatisfied with the Lebanese Armed Forces’ enforcement of existing understandings aimed at curbing Hezbollah’s military activities.
Several days ago, the Lebanese military discovered a tunnel linked to Hezbollah in the Roueissat el-Jadida area of eastern Beirut. According to the official, the discovery was intended to demonstrate that the Lebanese military was taking action in the Lebanese capital, where Hezbollah has shifted some of its military capabilities from southern Lebanon.
The official said Hezbollah had restored some military assets damaged or destroyed in Israeli strikes. Israel was also concerned about what it considers inadequate enforcement of the existing understandings and the continued presence of Hezbollah infrastructure and operatives in southern Lebanon.
“We are not satisfied with the Lebanese mechanism, and the issue of Hezbollah’s tunnels comes as no surprise to us,” the official said.
The official added that Hezbollah was rebuilding and expanding its military infrastructure not only in southern Lebanon but also in Beirut and Tyre, where large Shiite communities are concentrated.
“They are making a major effort to regain operational experience and return to peak combat readiness,” the official said, referring to Hezbollah’s military wing.
One scenario presented to IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir envisages Hezbollah joining a broader regional conflict and launching attacks against Israel’s home front if the United States or Israel attacks Iran.
According to Walla, Hezbollah retains a range of combat capabilities that could enable it to sustain several months of fighting. Its arsenal reportedly includes rockets, missiles of varying ranges, fibre-optic and SIM-controlled drones, tactical drones and loitering munitions.
Hezbollah is also continuing to train anti-tank and observation teams in preparation for a possible future confrontation with Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and along the Israel-Lebanon border.