Hezbollah Commander Describes Combat Operations Against Israel in Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon — A Hezbollah field commander spoke to NPR by phone on Thursday about his experiences in combat with Israel. The interview lasted 40 minutes and was conducted due to security risks from Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks targeting Hezbollah members.

The commander, who uses the nom de guerre Jihad and is 62 years old, has been a member of Hezbollah's military wing since 2001 and holds a rank equivalent to a two-star general.

Jihad described being wounded the previous day in an Israeli bombardment of Beirut's southern suburbs. An Israeli missile struck a street near a building where he was sheltering, causing flying glass and debris to injure his arms and legs. Lebanese authorities reported that the bombardment killed more than 350 people, and Jihad stated that two individuals died next to him during the incident.

Despite his injuries, Jihad said he was back on duty the following day. He explained his role involves commuting between Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah maintains offices, and southern Lebanon, where he oversees troops in combat. Jihad indicated his expertise includes operating rockets, which Hezbollah has launched by the thousands into northern Israel.

Hezbollah's Response to Regional Events Hezbollah began firing rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel on March 2, following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28.

The group paused its attacks this week upon reports of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which Hezbollah believed would extend to Lebanon. However, after Israel stated the ceasefire did not apply and initiated a major assault on Lebanon, Hezbollah announced it had resumed rocket fire.

Jihad described Hezbollah's tactics for confronting Israeli forces, which possess advanced weapons and technology.

He stated that the group maintains its position through skill and steadfastness, allowing enemy forces to approach before engaging. NPR's interview provided insights into Hezbollah's capabilities, including a new command structure and tactics to avoid Israeli surveillance.

Changes in Hezbollah Operations Jihad referenced errors by Hezbollah in 2024 that contributed to Israel's killing of the group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Since then, Hezbollah has rearmed and restructured its organization. The group now relies on basic communication methods, such as handwritten notes delivered by couriers on motorbikes and old-fashioned walkie-talkies like Motorola devices and radio transmitters.

Hezbollah ceased using cell phones and other modern electronics after a September 2024 Israeli operation that detonated explosives in thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies, killing dozens.

Israeli intelligence had embedded explosives in device batteries through a fake European company over a decade. Jihad said the group no longer imports any electronics due to distrust. Hezbollah operates both military and political wings, with 14 lawmakers in Lebanon's parliament.

The United States, Israel, and several other countries designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Hezbollah has stated its opposition to planned talks on Tuesday in Washington between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, the first official negotiations between the two countries since 1983.

The ongoing conflict affects civilians in both Lebanon and northern Israel, with rocket fire and airstrikes causing casualties and displacement.

Future developments may depend on the outcome of diplomatic efforts and military engagements in the region.