Hezbollah Amasses Drones and Explosives, Preparing for Conflict with Israel

Hezbollah has spent the last three months preparing for a potential resumption of hostilities with Israel, according to Lebanese security sources familiar with the group's activities, as reported by Reuters on Monday, October 26. During this period, the organization received substantial funding from Iran. Despite significant losses over three years of conflict with Israel, Hezbollah remains committed to fighting, utilizing a lull in fighting that began in June 2026 to replenish its arsenals. The group has focused on acquiring explosives and manufacturing drones for use against Israeli positions. Sources close to Hezbollah indicated that the organization received tens of millions of dollars from Iran to bolster its military capabilities, in addition to approximately $200 million previously allocated for aid to displaced families from Shiite villages. Reuters had previously reported on an Iranian transfer of $200 million to Hezbollah in September 2026, intended for aid to families displaced by the conflict. Hezbollah also plans to distribute $3,000 to each displaced family. The group is reportedly rebuilding command, control, and communication systems that were damaged by Israel during previous fighting. Hezbollah representatives denied that their command and control systems had collapsed, stating that "Israeli occupation of Lebanese lands makes any resistance to it a legitimate right." The IDF declined to comment on the report, and Iran's UN mission in Geneva did not respond. A US State Department representative affirmed Washington's continued efforts to cut off Hezbollah's funding through sanctions and other measures, with the US Treasury noting Iran's diminishing financial resources and transfer methods. Hezbollah is reportedly preparing for a potential US-Iran confrontation that could escalate quickly on the Lebanese front. However, Lebanese sources noted that the group has not fully restored its weapons stockpiles or personnel readiness, and is still replenishing its arsenals. In October, Hezbollah acknowledged that explosives seized by Lebanese authorities belonged to them and were intended for use against Israel, specifically for their attack drones. The organization faces challenges in rebuilding command structures in key areas like Bint Jbeil and the strategic Al-Taher ridge, where isolation of some units has made them vulnerable to Israeli remote-controlled systems, including drones. The IDF stated it uses such systems for surveillance in southern Lebanon to reduce risks to its soldiers. Hezbollah has not explicitly stated whether it will participate in renewed hostilities against Iran.