AARAMTA: Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement staged simulated cross-border raids into Israel on Sunday, showcasing its military capabilities with live ammunition and an attack drone. Around 200 Hezbollah fighters participated in the large-scale military exercise held in Aaramta, situated approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of the Israeli border.
The show of strength coincided with the upcoming anniversary of Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 and aimed to demonstrate Hezbollah’s preparedness and military might. Journalists were invited to witness the event.
During the exercise, one simulated raid involved the use of a drone to attack a target inside Israel, while in another scenario, fighters launched an assault on vehicles across a mock border. They retrieved a dummy’s body from one of the cars and swiftly carried it back across the “frontier.”
Snipers targeted objects adorned with the Star of David, and fighters performed daring jumps through flaming hoops, showcasing the group’s military capabilities in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah also showcased its heavy and light arms, including anti-aircraft weapons, rocket launchers, and rocket-propelled grenades. Hashem Safieddine, a senior Hezbollah official, warned against any aggression from Israel, stating, “If some people in the Zionist entity (Israel) dream of doing something foolish… we will rain down our precision missiles and all the weapons at our disposal.”
Hezbollah’s military strength to counter Israel
Unlike other Lebanese factions, Hezbollah retained its weapons after the country’s civil war from 1975 to 1990. It now possesses an arsenal that rivals the national army, justifying its military strength as necessary for its role in resisting the Israeli enemy.
Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a devastating war in 2006 following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by the group. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) acts as a buffer between Lebanon and Israel, operating in the south near the border, which is a stronghold of Hezbollah.
Established in 1978, UNIFIL monitors the withdrawal of Israeli forces after their invasion of Lebanon in response to a Palestinian attack.
Although technically at war, the border between Lebanon and Israel experiences sporadic skirmishes. Hezbollah is also a crucial ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and has officially fought alongside Syrian forces since 2013. The group’s display of military power underscores its continued influence and regional presence.
