Military sources: Reports that IDF destroyed 50% of Hezbollah rocket capabilities are likely exaggerated

While some Hebrew-language media outlets reported last night that Israeli defense officials assessed that 50% of Hezbollah’s rocket capabilities were destroyed in yesterday’s strikes in Lebanon, military sources tell The Times of Israel that those figures are likely exaggerated.

The IDF said it targeted some 1,600 Hezbollah sites in Lebanon yesterday, largely striking homes where the terror group stored munitions.

The military has said the munitions included cruise missiles, short-range heavy rockets, medium-range rockets, and explosive drones. Notably, the IDF has not yet said it has destroyed Hezbollah’s long-range rockets and precision-guided missiles.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said last night that “tens of thousands of rockets were destroyed” in the strikes. Military sources say the strikes have prevented Hezbollah from carrying out even larger attacks on Israel.

According to official IDF assessments from before the war which began last October, Hezbollah had over 200,000 rockets, mortars, and missiles.

The numbers include 400 long-range rockets, hundreds of precision-guided missiles, 4,800 medium-range rockets, 65,000 short-range rockets, and 140,000 mortars.

Also according to the assessments, Hezbollah has hundreds of explosive-laden drones, around 100 anti-ship missiles, and at least 17 anti-aircraft systems.

Hezbollah has already launched over 8,000 rockets and hundreds of drones at northern Israel amid the fighting in the past 11 months.