Report: Hezbollah rebuilding defensive, not offensive, capabilities
A senior Lebanese security source has commented on the growing speculation that Hezbollah has begun restoring its military capabilities to offset the losses it had incurred while supporting Gaza and Iran.
The source told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that these claims are deliberately exaggerated. He explained that the party's current activities are strictly limited to fortifying its remaining defensive outposts, which would allow it to hold its ground should Israel choose to expand its security buffer by striking the highlands between Iqlim al-Tuffah and Jabal al-Rihan.
The security source stressed that Hezbollah is currently in a posture of self-defense, noting that the group has no intention of entering a renewed military confrontation with Israel. This assessment of Hezbollah’s military strength mirrors remarks made to Asharq al-Awsat by a source from the Shiite Duo, who stated that Hezbollah's top priority right now is rebuilding enough military capacity to defend its last remaining positions north of the Litani River.
The source, who is in contact with Hezbollah’s leadership, pointed out that while the party continues to repair its military infrastructure and reinforce its defensive lines, it has not regained its former military might. "I do not believe it has recovered its past military capabilities," he said, adding that "what is being said in this regard is part of a media inflation of its military readiness."
Ultimately, the source concluded that Hezbollah is entirely focused on rehabilitating its forces solely to withstand potential Israeli strikes on these elevated regions. He firmly stated that the party will not drag itself into a reckless military venture, especially since it “lacks the political backing of Speaker Nabih Berri and the support of the wider Shiite community for such a move.”
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