IDF Seizes Over 85,000 Hezbollah Weapons in Southern Lebanon Operations

Captured arsenal includes Russian-made anti-tank missiles, rocket launchers, and explosives; Israeli lawmakers weigh transferring seized arms to Ukraine.

Jerusalem [Israel], December 26: The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday that their ongoing operations in southern Lebanon have resulted in the seizure of over 85,000 weapons and military items from Hezbollah.

IDF forces carried out operations across more than 30 villages, uncovering weapons caches, rocket launchers, and tunnel shafts strategically placed within civilian areas.

“The weapons confiscated were used by Hezbollah and were intended to harm the citizens of the State of Israel, as part of the plan to ‘conquer the Galilee,’” the IDF stated.

Details of the Seized Arsenal:

• 6,840 RPG rocket launchers and anti-tank missiles
• 340 Kornet anti-tank missiles and launchers
• 9,000 explosives
• 60 anti-aircraft missiles
• 60,800 electronic devices (phones, laptops, communication gear)
• 2,250 missiles and shells
• 2,700 light weapons
• 2,860 other miscellaneous weapons

Additionally, 20 vehicles, including jeeps and pickup trucks, were confiscated during these raids.

Significance of Russian-Made Weapons

The IDF revealed a surprisingly high quantity of Russian-made weapons, often still in their original crates with Russian labels. These include:

• Kornet anti-tank guided missiles
• Strela surface-to-air missiles
• RPG-29 Vampire grenade launchers
• Metis-M anti-tank missile systems
• Kalashnikov rifles

Reports suggest that 70% of Hezbollah’s weapons cache consists of Russian arms. Israeli lawmakers are now discussing whether these captured weapons should be transferred to Ukraine, adding a geopolitical layer to the findings.

Ceasefire Agreement and UN Resolution 1701

Under the current ceasefire agreement effective since November 27, Hezbollah is mandated to withdraw its forces south of the Litani River. In exchange, Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are responsible for ensuring compliance with UN Resolution 1701, which prohibits Hezbollah’s military presence in the region.

Despite international agreements, the discovery of such extensive stockpiles underscores ongoing tensions and the fragility of the ceasefire.