Photo: IDF
On Friday, following the entry into force of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, which came into effect on Wednesday morning, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) released detailed data on Operation Northern Arrows against the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah.
According to official figures, at least 2,500 terrorists were killed in the operation. Among those killed were Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and 14 senior members of its leadership, including the organisation’s Chief of Staff Fuad Shukr. Four division commanders, 24 brigade commanders, 27 battalion commanders, 63 company commanders and 22 platoon commanders were also killed in the campaign.
Ground operations were a key element of the operation, involving 14 brigade combat teams that conducted more than 100 special missions and 24 division raids. These operations, along with air and maritime components, dealt a heavy blow to Radwan forces and Hezbollah’s operational infrastructure.
Israel’s air and naval forces played a central role in the campaign. Fighter jets flew some 14,000 hours, conducting 11,000 combat sorties targeting Hezbollah targets across Lebanon. The naval forces spent about 25,000 operational hours at sea, securing maritime zones and preventing arms smuggling.
The operation destroyed more than 12,500 Hezbollah targets, including 1,600 military headquarters and more than 1,000 weapons depots. The campaign also targeted infrastructure deep in Lebanon, including 360 sites in Beirut and about 1,000 sites in the Bekaa Valley, a known Hezbollah stronghold.
Hezbollah’s firepower has been significantly reduced. The IDF estimates that the group now has less than 30% of its previous arsenal of drones.
Over 155,000 weapons and military equipment were also confiscated during the operation. This includes approximately 12,000 explosive devices, drones and other explosive devices, more than 13,000 anti-tank missile and rocket launchers, and anti-aircraft missiles. In addition, more than 121,000 communications equipment, computers, electronic equipment and documents were seized.
Ensuring security on the northern border
Brigadier General Iftah Norkin, commander of the 146th Division, praised the operation’s achievements, stressing that the IDF remains deployed on the northern border to maintain security and preserve the gains made in recent months.
“Over the past year, you have repelled Hezbollah and cleared areas from which the group directly threatened northerners,” he said, addressing soldiers and reservists. “Your achievements are an inspiration and have created a stable basis for security decisions. We are determined to uphold the agreement and respond to any violations,” the commander concluded.
