Hezbollah Aims to Rebuild Longer Term Despite Israeli Blows, U.S. Intel Says

Lebanon’s Hezbollah has been significantly degraded militarily by Israel, but the Iran-backed group will likely try to rebuild its stockpiles and forces and pose a long-term threat to the U.S. and its regional allies, four sources briefed on updated U.S. intelligence told British media.  

U.S. intelligence agencies assessed in recent weeks that Hezbollah, even amid Israel’s military campaign, had begun to recruit new fighters and was trying to find ways to rearm through domestic production and by smuggling materials through Syria, said a senior U.S. official, an Israeli official, and two U.S. lawmakers briefed on the intelligence, speaking on condition of anonymity.  

It’s unclear to what extent those efforts have slowed since last week when Hezbollah and Israel reached a shaky ceasefire, two of the sources said. The deal specifically prohibits Hezbollah from procuring weapons or weapons parts.  

U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Hezbollah is operating with limited firepower. It has lost more than half its weapons stockpiles and thousands of fighters during the conflict with Israel, reducing Tehran’s overall military capacity to its lowest point in decades, according to the intelligence. (JPost/VFI News)

“Dear God, we thank You for organizing the consistent dismantlement of Hezbollah. We are grateful that the terrorist group has lost so much of its power and weapons. Please, continue the good work that You have started until no terrorist can harm innocent civilians. We pray in Yeshua’s name that the remaining terrorists repent or be eliminated and that they receive Your justice for the crimes they have committed.”