Hezbollah returns to guerrilla tactics, preparing for possible Israeli invasion - report

Lebanon’s Hezbollah is reverting to guerrilla warfare in southern Lebanon as it prepares for a potential full-scale Israeli invasion and a prolonged conflict, according to four Lebanese sources familiar with the group’s military operations, cited by Reuters.

The sources said Hezbollah fighters are now operating in small, dispersed units and are limiting the use of communication devices to avoid interception by Israeli intelligence. They are also rationing key anti-tank rockets, weapons considered critical for slowing an Israeli ground advance.

Much of the fighting so far has concentrated near the town of Khiyam, located near the junction of Lebanon, Israel, and Syria, which Hezbollah believes could be a likely entry point for an Israeli ground offensive.

The Lebanese sources noted that Hezbollah’s strategy is shaped by the assumption that Iran’s clerical leadership will survive the current conflict, allowing the group to participate in a regional ceasefire once hostilities subside.

While Israel continues to plan its Lebanon operations following the ongoing conflict with Iran, an Israeli security official told Reuters that there are no signs of Hezbollah de-escalating. Despite the loss of several senior commanders, the group appears to be successfully stabilizing its chain of command. Two Lebanese sources added that Hezbollah has appointed up to four deputies for every commander to maintain operational continuity in case of casualties.

Additionally, Reuters reported that the elite fighters of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, who had withdrawn from southern Lebanon after the 2024 ceasefire, have redeployed to the region, reinforcing the group’s readiness for a major confrontation with Israel.