Key Takeaways:
– Israel’s missile stockpiles, including the Iron Dome interceptors, are depleting amid longstanding conflict with Iran and Hezbollah.
– Former U.S. defense officials warn of serious munitions issues and a race against time for Israel to replenish supplies.
– U.S. has agreed to station Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, (THAAD) missile-defense systems in Israel, anticipating retaliatory strikes.
– Repeated Israeli airstrikes have reportedly led to a financial crisis for Hezbollah as major cash reserves are being targeted.
– The prolonged conflict is causing significant strain on both Israel and Hezbollah/Iran in different yet significantly impactful ways.
Israel’s Munitions Stockpiles Dwindle Amid Conflict
The central actors in the ongoing Middle East conflict, Israel and Hezbollah/Iran, are grappling with significant problems. For Israel, a year-long series of offensives and defensive campaigns against adversaries has stretched its missile stockpiles thin. Reports suggest that the country’s stock of Iron Dome interceptor missiles is worryingly low. Notwithstanding, these supplies are crucial to Israel’s ongoing defense against Iran’s ballistic missile assaults.
Former U.S. defense official Dana Stroul pointed to the seriousness of Israel’s munitions issue. According to Stroul, if Iran and Hezbollah counter an Israeli attack in the form of a massive airstrike campaign, Israel’s air defenses could be severely strained. She also added that the U.S. might have trouble meeting the munitions demands of both Ukraine and Israel.
Running on Overdrive: Israel’s Missile Defense
In response to this dire situation, Israel Aerospace Industries has ramped up its production capacity. The state-owned company has its production lines working around the clock to meet the demands for Arrow interceptors, used to bring down ballistic missiles.
Israel’s multi-tiered missile defense system has been operating at full capacity for a year. The Iron Dome system has successfully intercepted a significant number of rockets from assailants, effectively severing the sects’ lethal offensives. However, several projectiles, including suicide drones, have slipped past the defenses with catastrophic results.
The consequences of even a small decrease in Israel’s defense capabilities can be severe. Notably, Iran’s attack on October 1 demonstrated this vulnerability when efforts to repel the missiles were less successful than a comparable strike on April 13.
Hezbollah Struggles with Financial Crisis
As Israel grapples with missile shortages, its adversary Hezbollah also faces a significant burden. Sustained Israeli airstrikes have reportedly caused financial difficulties for the Iranian ally, striking significant blows to its cash reserves.
Hezbollah’s three main sources of income – Al-Qard al Hasan, licensed Lebanese commercial banks, and cash influxes from Iran, have come under heavy fire. Specifically, Israel’s initial airstrikes during the Lebanon campaign targeted AQAH’s cash reserves, resulting in a financial crisis for the group.
In addition, many of Hezbollah’s wealthy supporters have fled from the country, mainly to Europe or the Gulf States, drying up a significant source of liquidity for Hezbollah. Israel’s aggressive response towards hostile flights carrying weapons to Beirut has also choked off another lifeline for Hezbollah – the literal planeloads of cash arriving from Tehran.
On Both Sides: Impact of Ongoing Violence
The persistent conflict seems to be biting deeper for both Israel and Hezbollah. With Israel racing against time to replenish its missile supplies and Hezbollah scrambling to manage its financial crisis, the year-long series of attacks and counterattacks is taking an unmistakable toll.
For now, the conflict continues with both sides navigating shortfalls of their own – Israel, the depletion of crucial munitions, and Hezbollah, a financial crisis. As the ongoing violence escalates, these challenges only add to the narrative of a region steeped in complexity and enduring conflict. As the demands of war outweigh the available resources, the resulting strain on both sides is becoming increasingly apparent.