Hezbollah finishes 3-month rebuild using fresh Iranian cash

Hezbollah has completed a three-month effort to rebuild its military capabilities, according to Lebanese security personnel briefed on the group's activities. The group focused on procuring explosives and producing drones designed to fly into the security zone held by Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.

The reconstruction follows two wars with Israel since 2024 that killed thousands of fighters and many leaders. Much of the group's arsenal was destroyed in those conflicts. The current push to rearm is taking place during a lull in hostilities that has persisted since June.

Two Lebanese security sources told Reuters that the group received tens of millions of dollars from Iran to boost its military capabilities. This new funding supplements approximately $200 million that Tehran provided earlier this month. A source close to Hezbollah confirmed the cash injections were intended to restore fighting power.

Security officials said the group has been working to fix command-and-control structures that collapsed during key battles. One source and three other security officials familiar with the operations described the breakdown in communication systems. Hezbollah's media office rejected the idea that its command systems had broken down.

The group faces ongoing pressure in Beirut for its disarmament. Israeli forces currently occupy a security zone in the south. Despite this, the group remains committed to attacking Israel. It has used the current quiet period to stockpile weapons and repair its infrastructure.

Tensions remain high in the region following the US-Israeli war with Iran that began in February. Hezbollah attacked Israel on March 2 in support of Tehran. That move triggered an Israeli response and led to the evacuation of many residents from southern Lebanon, mostly members of the group's Shi'ite Muslim constituency.

Hostilities largely stopped over the summer after an interim deal between Iran and the US included a ceasefire in Lebanon. Washington also mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel. Although full-scale fighting has not resumed since the US-Iran deal collapsed, Israel continues to strike targets in the south.

Lebanese sources said the group has not yet fully prepared its stockpiles or fighting force. It is still restocking. This month, the group acknowledged that explosives seized by Lebanese authorities belonged to it. A Hezbollah official and a Lebanese security source told Reuters those explosives were intended for its explosive drones.

The group must also repair command capabilities in areas like Bint Jbeil and the Ali al-Taher ridge. Officials said that operating in small units and rationing anti-tank rockets left some groups isolated on those fronts. They struggled against Israeli remotely operated systems, including weaponized drones and armed remote-controlled vehicles.

The Israeli military stated that it uses these remote systems to monitor the area and reduce risk to its troops. A US State Department spokesman said Washington will continue to use sanctions to limit the group's finances. A US Treasury spokesperson noted that Iran is running out of ways to move money. Israel's military and Iran's UN mission in Geneva did not immediately respond to questions.

Hezbollah is on alert for potential escalation between the US and Iran that could reignite the front. The group has not explicitly said whether it will join fresh hostilities. Its media office said it is wary of giving Israeli leaders reasons to escalate efforts against it.