Following targeted Israeli airstrikes that killed several senior Hezbollah commanders, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group has resorted to low-tech methods to evade Israel’s advanced surveillance technology, sources informed Reuters.
Hezbollah has employed a range of old-fashioned communication techniques, including landline phones and pagers, to circumvent Israeli monitoring. The group has also implemented code words for sensitive information and used couriers to deliver messages in person. This shift away from digital communications aims to avoid detection and interception by Israeli intelligence.
In addition to these low-tech strategies, Hezbollah has leveraged its own technology, particularly drones, to gather intelligence and attack Israeli surveillance systems. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has framed these efforts as a strategy to “blind” Israel.
The conflict intensified in October following Hamas’s war with Israel, with both sides engaging in frequent exchanges of fire. Hezbollah has been involved in daily hostilities, including launching rockets and explosive drones into northern Israel. Israeli strikes have resulted in over 330 Hezbollah fighters and around 90 civilians in Lebanon being killed, while attacks from Lebanon have caused 21 Israeli soldier and 10 civilian fatalities.
Hezbollah’s casualties include over 20 operatives, including three top commanders, who were killed in targeted strikes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have emphasized their ability to strike Hezbollah operatives across the border, citing the importance of precise intelligence gathering. The IDF has used electronic surveillance and hacking techniques as part of their operations.
In response to Israeli intelligence capabilities, Hezbollah has adapted its tactics, banning cell phones on the battlefield and relying on fixed-line telecommunication networks and couriers. The group has also taken steps to secure its private telephone network, which was set up around two decades ago with Iranian support, by breaking it into smaller networks to limit potential breaches.
Hezbollah’s use of drones has included collecting intelligence on Israeli targets and attacking surveillance installations. The group has claimed responsibility for downing or capturing several Israeli drones, though Israel’s military has confirmed only some of these incidents.
Despite Hezbollah’s efforts to counter Israeli surveillance, experts note that Israel retains a technological advantage. Hezbollah’s heightened security measures reflect its increased awareness of potential breaches, but Israeli capabilities continue to outpace those of the group.
