In late September, as the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks approached and Gaza lay in ruins, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a new strategic priority: attacking Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Despite a brutal campaign that decimated the group’s leadership and displaced more than 1.2 million civilians, Hezbollah remains a formidable opponent; it recently even launched a drone strike that hit Netanyahu’s own home.
This article explores how Hezbollah has survived, adapted, and continues to retaliate despite overwhelming Israeli firepower.
1. Israel’s multifrontal offensive against Hezbollah
Kill the top commanders
In late September, Israeli forces launched a sustained bombing campaign. Among the prominent Hezbollah figures killed were:
Hassan Nasrallah (Secretary General), Hashem Safieddine (Deputy Leader), Nabil Qaouk, Ibrahim Aqil and Ali Karaki (Senior Military Commanders).
These attacks targeted Hezbollah facilities in Dahiyeh, the Beqaa Valley, and even downtown Beirut, including drone workshops and financial centers.
The psychological bombing
Israel also reportedly activated thousands of booby-trapped communication devices (pagers, walkie-talkies), killing both militants and civilians. The goal: to dismantle Hezbollah’s centralized command.
2. Hezbollah’s resilient structure and strategy
Despite these catastrophic blows, Hezbollah continues to operate. Why?
Autonomous Units
Hezbollah’s military strategy is based on decentralization. Small, highly trained units operate independently, empowered to make tactical decisions on their own. This mission-command approach has allowed the group to maintain its functionality even after the destruction of its leadership.
High mobility and dispersion
Hezbollah relies on tactics developed in previous conflicts, such as:
Tunnels and underground shelters. Mobile rocket platforms. Mountain bikes for discreet transport. Rapid preparation and dispersal times (less than 30 seconds for a rocket launch). 3. Continuous retaliation against Israel.
