Over 100 Hezbollah and other militant group weapons caches have been discovered by UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon, located within close proximity to UN peacekeepers. Despite a November 2024 ceasefire agreement mandating Israeli withdrawal and Lebanese army deployment, Israeli military operations, including airstrikes and demolitions, continue. Hezbollah has threatened renewed attacks if Israeli forces do not fully withdraw within the stipulated timeframe. The United States, a broker of the ceasefire, has urged Israel to avoid actions that could jeopardize the agreement.
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Hezbollah’s chief recently declared that the recent Israel-Hamas truce serves as proof of the “persistence of resistance.” This statement, however, requires a nuanced examination. While the cessation of hostilities might be presented as a victory for resistance movements, the reality on the ground paints a far more complex picture. The sheer devastation inflicted on Gaza, the significant losses suffered by Hamas, and the damage sustained in Lebanon by Hezbollah raise serious questions about what constitutes a successful “resistance.”
The claim of victory overlooks the immense human cost of the conflict. Civilians on both sides endured horrific suffering, displacement, and loss of life.… Continue reading
Following a prolonged political deadlock, Lebanon elected army chief Joseph Aoun as its new president, ending a two-year vacancy. Aoun’s election, facilitated by US and Saudi support, marks a shift away from Iran-backed Hezbollah’s influence. In his inaugural address, Aoun pledged to address Lebanon’s multifaceted crises and to establish the state’s monopoly on weapons, directly challenging Hezbollah’s military power. This comes amidst Hezbollah’s weakened position following a recent conflict with Israel and the subsequent ceasefire agreement. Aoun’s presidency signals a potential realignment of power dynamics within Lebanon.
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Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa declared victory over Israel following a recent conflict, asserting the group’s strength and unwavering resolve despite the IDF’s incursion into southern Lebanon. Safa highlighted Hezbollah’s ability to “force” a ceasefire and cited a perceived sense of insecurity within Israel as evidence of their success. However, this assertion was met with widespread criticism, with social media users accusing Safa of hypocrisy and highlighting Lebanon’s current dire situation as contradictory to his claims of victory. Critics pointed to the significant damage inflicted on Hezbollah and Lebanon as refutation of his statements.
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A senior Hezbollah official revealed that Hassan Nasrallah, the group’s leader, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on September 27, 2023, while in the group’s war operations room. Nasrallah’s death ignited a two-month war between Israel and Hezbollah, culminating in a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November. The ceasefire agreement mandates Hezbollah’s relocation of forces and infrastructure, Israeli troop withdrawal, and increased Lebanese military presence in southern Lebanon. However, tensions remain, with Hezbollah issuing threats of further action if Israel does not fully comply with the terms of the agreement.
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Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem issued a warning to Israel, stating that the 60-day ceasefire agreement’s duration doesn’t guarantee continued restraint. He emphasized Hezbollah’s unwavering commitment to resistance as a religious and political imperative, asserting the group’s right to confront Israeli occupation. Qassem claimed Hezbollah’s military capabilities forced Israel to seek the ceasefire and that the group retains significant strength, citing the 1982 Lebanon war as evidence of their resilience. He concluded by reiterating Hezbollah’s resolve to continue resistance, regardless of the ceasefire timeline.
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Lebanese authorities, acting on reports of an Iranian attempt to transfer funds to Hezbollah via an Air Mahan flight from Tehran, confronted Iranian officials upon arrival in Beirut. A standoff ensued when an Iranian delegation member resisted a bag search, resulting in the bag’s confiscation. While two bags claimed as diplomatic pouches were ultimately permitted entry, the plane was searched, yielding no further illicit materials. Hezbollah affiliates reportedly protested the incident in Beirut’s Dahieh neighborhood.
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One hundred and twenty commandos from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a daring raid deep inside Syrian territory, targeting an Iranian missile factory. The operation, codenamed “Operation Many Ways,” aimed to dismantle an underground facility nestled within the Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) in Masyaf, Syria. This location, over 200 kilometers from the Israeli border, was crucial for the production of precision-guided missiles intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Assad regime.
The facility, known internally as “Deep Layer,” was situated within a mountain, making it a challenging target. While not yet fully operational, the IDF asserts that the facility was nearing completion, with at least two missiles already successfully tested and rocket engines in mass production.… Continue reading
Former Mossad agents have revealed a decade-long operation involving the planting of explosives within walkie-talkies and pagers, ultimately detonated earlier this year targeting Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon. The operation, they claim, served as a potent message to Israel’s enemies.
This audacious plan involved the sale of approximately 16,000 of these modified devices to Hezbollah over a sustained period, cleverly disguised as a legitimate commercial transaction. The agents emphasized the importance of a “good price” to ensure the successful infiltration of the target market.
Recognizing the prevalence of walkie-talkies in combat scenarios, the team expanded their efforts to include the development of exploding pagers, presenting a more covert delivery method.… Continue reading
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem urged Syria’s new leadership to maintain its opposition to Israel, rejecting normalization of relations. Qassem’s statement reflects Hezbollah’s continued commitment to confronting Israel, despite a recent ceasefire and ongoing regional shifts. He downplayed the loss of Syrian supply lines, emphasizing Hezbollah’s enduring military posture and its refusal to disarm. While refraining from immediate judgment on Syria’s new rulers, Qassem stressed the importance of stability before assessment.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood