IDF Reveals Hezbollah Weapons Hidden in Lebanese Homes as Strikes Escalate

On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released images and footage showing Hezbollah’s practice of hiding advanced weaponry in civilian homes across southern Lebanon. This revelation came as Israeli fighter jets conducted extensive airstrikes on over 1,600 Hezbollah targets, a campaign aimed at neutralizing the Iranian-backed terror group’s rocket and missile capabilities.

Among the most alarming discoveries was a long-range missile mounted on a hydraulic launcher in the attic of a home in the village of Houmine al-Tahta. “This missile was ready to launch through a roof opening, while a Lebanese family lived directly beneath it, serving as human shields,” explained IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari during a press conference. The IDF has warned civilians to evacuate areas where Hezbollah has embedded its military infrastructure within residential neighborhoods.

The strikes are part of Israel’s larger effort to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal, which includes advanced cruise missiles, drones, and rockets capable of carrying warheads weighing up to 1,000 kilograms. "We are crushing what Hezbollah built over 20 years," Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared, emphasizing the strategic importance of these operations.

Footage released by the IDF showcased secondary explosions caused by hidden munitions, further confirming that many of the targeted homes served as rocket storage facilities. “Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a war zone,” Hagari said, as he urged Lebanese citizens to move away from Hezbollah-controlled areas for their own safety. Text messages and video warnings in Arabic were sent to residents, advising them to stay clear of Hezbollah weapons caches.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed these warnings, addressing the Lebanese people directly. “Hezbollah has placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garages, aimed directly at our cities. Our fight is with Hezbollah, not with you. Please get out of harm’s way,” he said.

Hezbollah, which has consistently used civilian areas as shields, has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel in recent weeks. On Monday, the group launched at least 350 projectiles, with some reaching deep into Israeli territory. In response, Israel’s air force intensified its strikes, hitting Hezbollah positions not only near the border but also deeper within Lebanon, including the Bekaa Valley.

The conflict has resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. Lebanese health officials reported at least 492 deaths and over 1,645 injuries following the Israeli strikes on Monday, while Hezbollah has confirmed the deaths of 506 of its fighters. Israel, too, has faced significant losses, with 26 civilians and 22 soldiers killed since the border skirmishes escalated after the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Despite the relentless air campaign, Hezbollah continues to launch attacks. Israeli officials have repeatedly warned that if a diplomatic solution is not reached, military action will intensify, aiming to push Hezbollah’s forces further north.

As the strikes continue, the Israeli cabinet has declared a "special situation" on the home front, allowing greater jurisdiction over civilian safety measures. Meanwhile, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi described the campaign as a “proactive offensive operation” designed to eliminate Hezbollah’s long-established military infrastructure. “We are preparing for the next stages to create the conditions necessary for the return of the displaced residents of northern Israel,” he added.

With no immediate end to the conflict in sight, the IDF remains focused on defending Israel's northern border while delivering a clear message to Hezbollah: the use of civilian homes as shields will not deter Israel from protecting its citizens.

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