Israel uncovered large caches of advanced Russian-made weapons during a ground operation in southern Lebanon. The findings reveal the extent of Hezbollah’s growing arsenal, including weapons manufactured as recently as 2020, and raise concerns over regional security.
The seized weapons include Kornet anti-tank missiles and guided systems, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. Military officials said many of these weapons were transported from Russia through Syria to Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.
Israel has long been aware of Hezbollah’s possession of older Soviet-era weapons, but this operation marked the first opportunity since 2006 to assess the full scale of its arsenal.
Approximately 60% to 70% of the weapons seized in the operation were Russian-made, significantly more advanced than initially expected.
The Kornet missiles, in particular, have been used frequently against Israeli forces, posing a considerable threat along the border. Analysts say the newly uncovered stockpile highlights Hezbollah’s bolstered combat capabilities and the strategic challenges facing Israel.
