Hezbollah’s regional dominance in southern Lebanon

Hezbollah divides southern Lebanon into three divisional zones: the eastern zone — from Bint Jbeil and eastwards — belonged to the Nasser unit, with Abdallah acting as its commander.

The zone controlled by Hezbollah’s Aziz’s unit is the western one, leading up to the coast. The third combat zone stretches from north of the Litani River to the city of Sidon, with the Badr unit in charge — whose commander is still active.

According to Tal Beeri, head of the Alma Center Research Department in Israel, Hezbollah’s units are divided between two areas called the “first line of defense” and “second line of defense.”

The first line includes the area between the border with Israel up to the Litani River, and the second includes the area from the Litani northward — up to the Sidon area. The Nasser and Aziz units belong to the first line.

Each unit’s operatives live in the geographical area they’re responsible for, with each having independent capabilities including rocket fire, anti-aircraft capabilities, mortars, combat engineering and drone units, as well as logistics, communications and medicine (through Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Authority).

Nasser commanded the Aziz regional division for many years, and his elimination disrupts the commanding capabilities and combat experience of senior commanders in the area – which includes many Shiite villages, Hezbollah missile launching pads and other means.

Amid the growing tensions, the IDF said recently it won’t be able to keep displaced northern residents away from their homes for much longer, and the time is approaching when Israel will have to decide whether to pursue a diplomatic arrangement with Hezbollah or take military action instead.

Such an action would include a ground operation in southern Lebanon to allow for the return of northern residents to their homes and to push Hezbollah out of firing range against the country. Such an operation, which would have to push Hezbollah over 6 miles away from the border, would also push the terrorist organization’s weaponry away from Israeli communities.