The French newspaper Le Figaro reported on Hezbollah’s covert efforts to rebuild itself, writing that although the group has agreed to disarm in southern Lebanon, it still holds weapons in other areas under its influence and, with the help of agents from Iran’s regime and extensive internal restructuring, is secretly rebuilding its organization.
A Hezbollah member told Le Figaro that after the death of Hassan Nasrallah, for ten days no one answered the phones. We were like a body in a coma. Only the southern units continued operating under the emergency protocol established for the leader’s disappearance.
According to the report, about two weeks later, forces from Iran’s regime led by Esmail Qaani, the commander of the IRGC Quds Force, intervened and rebuilt Hezbollah’s military structure within ten days, although the group’s political leadership remained vacant.
Based on Le Figaro’s investigation, around 1,200 Hezbollah fighters were killed during this period. The group’s new structure has been formed under high secrecy, relying on a younger and more dynamic generation.
Ali Fayad, a member of the Lebanese Parliament, told the newspaper that today they have a new military structure that is highly secretive. The chain of command has been shortened, and no one knows who is responsible for what.
The newspaper also reported that despite maintaining its weapons depots in the Beqaa Valley and north of the Litani River, Hezbollah has decided not to intervene in the event of an attack on Iran. Meanwhile, Israeli drones continue to fly over Lebanon’s border regions, and many southern villages, including Naqoura and Alma al-Shaab, remain in complete ruins.
Despite more than 1,500 ceasefire violations and around 300 deaths in Lebanon, Hezbollah has so far not launched a military response to Israeli attacks. Its only action has been to pay about $12,000 to rebuild destroyed homes. However, the financial crisis caused by the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has strained Hezbollah’s funding sources.
Le Figaro also discussed internal criticism of Nasrallah’s leadership, noting that his critics accuse him of entering the war in solidarity with Hamas but acting too cautiously.
The newspaper emphasizes that despite its military weakening, Hezbollah still maintains significant influence in Lebanon’s political structure, holding 27 seats in parliament and retaining broad support among the Shiite population.
A Lebanese diplomat told Le Figaro that Hezbollah is no longer an immediate threat to Israel, but it remains powerful within Lebanon.
A Western intelligence source, speaking about the group’s covert activities, said that they crawl like a snake in the dark. They have not disappeared — they are just waiting for the right moment.
In conclusion, Le Figaro wrote that despite its weakening, Hezbollah remains standing and is rebuilding its command structure while maintaining its popular base.
