IDF Discovers Hezbollah Weapons Stockpile in Southern Lebanon’s Pharmacy

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday that they had located a weapons cache hidden inside a civilian pharmacy and a truck containing 40 rocket launchers.

The discovery, made by soldiers from the 226th Brigade, is part of ongoing efforts to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing weapons smuggling routes into the region.

The IDF’s search led to the discovery of numerous explosive devices, RPGs, AK47 rifles, and “Burkan” missiles, among other military-grade weaponry stored within civilian buildings.

In addition to the pharmacy, soldiers also found weapons depots in other structures, including mortars and other ready-to-use arms.

The operation, which took place on December 27, 2024, was concentrated in the Naqoura area, the westernmost village of southern Lebanon, a known Hezbollah stronghold used for launching terror attacks.

IDF officials highlighted that the primary goal of the operation was to locate and dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure, particularly those used for smuggling weapons and launching attacks against Israel.

“This is a direct response to Hezbollah’s ongoing attempts to destabilize the region and pose a threat to Israeli security,” an IDF spokesperson stated.

The discovery of Hezbollah’s weapon depots is seen as a crucial part of the IDF’s broader strategy to combat the terror group’s military operations in Lebanon.

According to the IDF, the weapons discovered were set to be used in future attacks, including rocket fire and other forms of terrorism targeting Israel.

In a statement, Major General Tomer Bar, commander of the Israeli Air Force, emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “This morning, we attacked seven crossings on the Syria-Lebanon border. We realized that Hezbollah is attempting to bring in weapons once again, and we cannot allow this to continue.”

The IDF also stated that its operations are designed to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing smuggling routes that have historically been used to transport weapons from Syria into Lebanon.

Despite the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has raised concerns, claiming that Israel’s recent military actions may violate the terms of the ceasefire.

While the UNIFIL peacekeeping force has called for both sides to respect the ceasefire, the IDF maintains that its operations are legitimate acts of self-defense and essential for national security.

The discovery of these weapons further highlights the tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran, which has frequently clashed with Israel over the years.

With Hezbollah’s continued presence in southern Lebanon, the region remains volatile, and the prospect of further military escalation remains a concern for both local and international stakeholders.

As the IDF continues its operations in southern Lebanon, the situation remains fluid, with both Israeli and Lebanese authorities closely monitoring developments.