Report: Hezbollah loses 85% of missile arsenal

2026-03-24 - 22:15

Updated Israeli intelligence points to an unprecedented weakening of Hezbollah, losing about 85% of its missile arsenal, who now holds an estimated 11,000 to 13,000 rockets and missiles. The current stockpile represents only about one-sixth of what the terrorist organization possessed on the eve of the war triggered by Hamas' October 7 massacre. The erosion, attributed to years of multi-front conflict and targeted strikes, is reinforced by estimates from the Alma Research and Education Center, which said Hezbollah's arsenal had already fallen to around 25,000 rockets before the current escalation. Despite the decline, the group remains deadly. Earlier today, a young woman was killed in northern Israel by a direct rocket hit fired from Lebanon. Smoke and flames rises following an Israeli airstrike in the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon. Photo: EPA/WAEL HAMZEH EPA US steps up involvement As Israel tracks Hezbollah's capabilities in Lebanon, Washington is preparing its next move against Iran. The Pentagon is planning to deploy about 3,000 troops from the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. The deployment is intended to support potential operations against Iran. While no decision has been made on deploying ground forces inside Iran, the move gives US President Donald Trump a wider range of strategic options. It comes just a day after Trump announced a five-day delay in planned strikes on Iranian energy facilities, citing what he described as "productive talks" with Tehran, claims that Iranian officials continue to deny. USS Tripoli amphibious assault ship (archive). Photo: US Navy Iran, for its part, is not waiting for US action. Tehran has intensified regional pressure, launching attacks over the past day not only on Israel but also on targets in Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Iranian officials have voiced concern that diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire are a "trap" designed to give the US and Israel more time to prepare a decisive blow. With Trump's five-day diplomatic window narrowing and US airborne forces already en route to the region, the situation appears to be rapidly approaching a critical juncture.