Hezbollah's Strategy against Invasion: Ambush Attacks, Support Troops

Israeli armored vehicles prepare to enter Lebanon (EPA)

Hezbollah’s military operations against the Israeli ground incursion in southern Lebanon have unveiled a combat strategy focused on ambushes, targeting supply lines, and striking troop concentrations before they deploy.
On the first day of confrontations along the southern border, Hezbollah released 27 statements detailing its engagement with Israeli infantry and infiltration attempts. The group reported shelling Israeli artillery positions and troop gatherings near military outposts, as well as detonating explosives and firing at helicopters.
Hezbollah claimed this action created a no-fly zone for helicopters in the border area. On Wednesday, Israel confirmed that eight soldiers were killed in the clashes in southern Lebanon.
Intense Operations
By Thursday afternoon, Hezbollah had released 14 statements about its attacks on Israeli forces, including shelling troop gatherings and military movements at border positions.
On the second day of fighting, Hezbollah used “Burkan” rockets with warheads weighing up to 500 kilograms, as well as shorter-range “Falaq” rockets, which carry warheads of 70 to 120 kilograms.
Hezbollah also announced it had detonated two bombs targeting an Israeli infantry unit trying to infiltrate the Lebanese town of Maroun al-Ras.
Defensive and Support Groups
Experts suggest Hezbollah’s actions indicate a pre-planned strategy to counter the invasion, involving defensive and support units coordinated to keep support teams away from the front lines.
This strategy includes surveillance units and rapid-response forces setting up ambushes against advancing troops.
The goal is to disrupt Israeli advancing forces and cut off their support. Experts believe Hezbollah aims to neutralize air support, particularly helicopters, but drones remain a challenge as they target rear support units. Their effectiveness, however, decreases during direct combat.
Close-Range Combat
Hezbollah fighters are trying to engage in close-range combat to counter drones, aiming for a “zero point” where direct, soldier-to-soldier fighting occurs. This tactic relies on the skills of infantry soldiers.
The group is also targeting Israeli troop concentrations to prevent their movements. After months of evacuation, Israeli forces have resumed gathering in border positions, towns, and settlements.
No significant armored incursions into Lebanese territory have been reported. However, some remote-controlled vehicles have appeared, including one that was damaged in the Lebanese border town of Kfar Kila, as shown in circulating images.
Israeli forces have urged Lebanese villagers who evacuated their homes not to return until further notice. On Thursday, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced on X that “Israeli airstrikes are ongoing.”
According to Lebanese government statistics, about 1,900 people have been killed and over 9,000 injured in Lebanon during nearly a year of cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah, largely coinciding with the Gaza conflict.
Most casualties have occurred in the past two weeks.