New Generation, High Casualties: Hezbollah on Lebanon’s Southern Front

Funeral of Hezbollah fighter killed in confrontation with Israel in southern Lebanon (Reuters)
Funeral of Hezbollah fighter killed in confrontation with Israel in southern Lebanon (Reuters)
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New Generation, High Casualties: Hezbollah on Lebanon’s Southern Front

Funeral of Hezbollah fighter killed in confrontation with Israel in southern Lebanon (Reuters)
Funeral of Hezbollah fighter killed in confrontation with Israel in southern Lebanon (Reuters)

The number of casualties within Lebanon's Hezbollah group has reached approximately 50 fighters since the start of the Gaza conflict with Israel on Oct. 7.

This figure, which is considered high in relation to the security situation along the southern border of Lebanon, where it cannot be described as a full-scale war but rather a limited engagement between the two parties, raises questions.

Based on available images, most of Hezbollah’s killed fighters are young, with their ages not exceeding their mid-twenties.

Consequently, they are undergoing their first military experience and are not part of the generation of fighters who participated in Syria’s battles.

The same sentiment is echoed by Riad Kahwaji, the head of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA).

“It is evident that those falling in the clashes between Hezbollah and Israel are of a young age and lack combat experience,” Kahwaji told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He points out that anyone aged 23 or younger has not participated in the Syrian war, considering that the training of Hezbollah fighters typically commences at the age of 18.

Political analyst Ali Al-Amin suggested that the fighters who fall in battle likely lack extensive experience.

While ruling out an escalation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel on Lebanon’s southern front, emphasizing a decision not to engage in a full-blown war, Al-Amin discussed the reasons for a significant number of casualties among Hezbollah fighters.

According to Al-Amin, Hezbollah fighters might have been taken by surprise by Israel’s response, just as the Israeli side was surprised by the capabilities of Hamas in Gaza.

Kahwaji, on the other hand, pointed out the high casualty rate within Hezbollah’s ranks, shedding light on the tactics employed in their battle.

“Hezbollah fights using conventional methods, moving away from guerrilla warfare, ambushes, and surprise attacks, engaging the Israeli army directly,” he explained.



6 Killed in Israeli Drone Strike in Lebanon Near Eastern Border with Syria

Smoke billowing above the Lebanese village of Bint Jbeil during Israeli bombardment. (AFP)
Smoke billowing above the Lebanese village of Bint Jbeil during Israeli bombardment. (AFP)
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6 Killed in Israeli Drone Strike in Lebanon Near Eastern Border with Syria

Smoke billowing above the Lebanese village of Bint Jbeil during Israeli bombardment. (AFP)
Smoke billowing above the Lebanese village of Bint Jbeil during Israeli bombardment. (AFP)

Six people were killed and two injured in Lebanon on Saturday in an Israeli drone strike in the area of Janata near the eastern border with Syria, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it struck “Hezbollah operatives” who “were operating in a strategic weapons manufacturing and storage site” belonging to the group.

Israel has continued to launch near-daily strikes on what it says are Hezbollah facilities in Lebanon since the implementation of a ceasefire agreement in late November that ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war.

The ceasefire document stipulates that both Israel and Lebanon maintain the right to act in “self defense” but does not define what qualifies as self defense.

The original 60-day deadline for implementing the terms of the ceasefire agreement expired in late January, but Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend it until Feb. 18.