Hidden Weapons, Broken Ceasefires, and the Reality of Lebanon’s Future

The Stranger in the Elevator: When Grief Breaks the Silence

"My brother and sister-in-law were killed by a rocket today," the man said, his voice trembling with grief as we shared a quiet elevator ride in Tel Aviv. "I spent the whole day in the north," he continued, his friend standing silently beside him, his eyes glazed over from the horrors they had witnessed. "Both are gone. I can’t believe it. And here I am, telling you this—a stranger."

Completely unexpected, I had to take in the reality of the man standing across from me. The weight of his sorrow cut like a bullet, rendering all those who stood in that small elevator momentarily speechless. Finally, through glazed eyes, I managed to say, "I have no words. My heart is heavy for you and all of Israel. We are here to stand by you, then and now, and in the future, to share your pain and bring your story back to the world. Jews, Christians, and so many others are flying across the world to stand with you. The world has not forgotten you, and when we go back to where we came, our hearts will remain with you."

For a brief moment, his eyes flickered with a spark—not hope, exactly, but a reminder that the world had not forgotten him. This man, a refugee from the north, had just endured a nightmare no one should face. His pain was a stark reminder of the grim reality so many are living through: the smell of destruction, the sounds of war, the unrelenting fear. This is life for those caught in the crosshairs of Iran’s proxy groups. This devastating existence demands the world’s attention and will no longer be covered up by jihadist propaganda.

I may not have lost loved ones to terrorists, but I have stood alongside those who have. I’ve seen, firsthand, the devastation wrought by jihadists who dream of erasing us from existence and have been in their crosshairs, targeted by different kinds of rockets, the nearness of voices yelling during battle, sounds of gunfire, and distant bombs with the smoke that lingered in our lungs. And this truth, a truth we often shy away from, forces us to confront an uncomfortable question: who are they really targeting?

Iran’s Proxy Empire: the 150,000 Rocket Arsenal That Changes Everything

Acknowledging the dark reality of proxy terrorist groups like Hezbollah, backed by Iran, forces us to confront some uncomfortable truths. Siding with Iran provides these groups with undeniable strategic advantages. An ecosystem, backed by Iran's factories to produce advanced weapons, networks spanning globally, and millions of dollars in funding. This is how Iran shifts the global dynamic to its favor. Using militant groups to expand Iran's presence. A presence hidden in the shadows. The stark reality for Israel is cast under Iran's dark shadow to erase Israel. Among these groups, Hezbollah stands out, not only as one of the most well-funded and heavily armed organizations, but as a direct extension of Iran’s power, and Israel's neighbor.

As of October 7, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) estimate that Hezbollah’s arsenal includes over 150,000 rockets, along with advanced military weapons and drones. This isn’t just a stockpile; it’s a ticking time bomb. The ongoing Israel-Lebanon conflict has drawn some of the world’s attention away from Gaza, but not for long. With weapons caches hidden across Lebanon, it’s clear Hezbollah is gearing up for the next move against Israel. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s crumbling infrastructure and fragile political landscape can barely withstand the strain, leaving the country even more vulnerable. Iran’s resources and influence have bolstered Hezbollah’s power not only on the battlefield but also within the Lebanese government, creating ripple effects that threaten the entire region’s stability.

Hezbollah isn’t just a threat—it’s a reminder of how deeply intertwined geopolitics, terrorism, and proxy wars have become in the Middle East. The question is not if this powder keg will ignite, but when.

Voices of Resilience

Since October 8, 2023, the 100km border between Lebanon and Israel has turned into a battlefield. Over 16,000 rockets have rained down on Israel, devastating villages and forcing more than 60,000 families, children, and the elderly to flee their homes overnight. Many fled with only the clothes on their backs, leaving behind their belongings, their pets, and any sense of normalcy. Unlike residents in Gaza, who the IDF warns before a strike, those living in Northern Israel received no evacuation warnings from Hezbollah. During this period, Hezbollah appears to have violated the UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Banning the stockpiling of weapons in the region.

Among those who fled their homes was a young boy, his little brother, and his mother. We met at breakfast. Clutching his small backpack, he sat and ate his bowl of cereal. I asked if he was heading to school with a warm smile on my face. He looked at me, unsure, but with a hidden hope, “I don’t know.” That uncertainty said it all. These families don’t know if they’ll have homes to return to. Their lives were ripped apart in an instant, leaving them with no plan other than to survive.

This crisis didn’t have to happen. Alongside Hamas, Hezbollah’s relentless rocket attacks are driving this wave of destruction. The narrative often shared in the West paints groups like Hamas as victims, but the reality is far different. Lebanon is not an open-air prison, nor was Gaza before violence escalated. The restrictions in Gaza came after years of its leadership prioritizing weapons over its people—choosing rockets over schools, bunkers over hospitals. These decisions led to reinforced borders and an inevitable cycle of conflict.

Operation “Northern Arrows”

On the night of September 30, 2024, Israel took a stand. Operation “Northern Arrows” was launched, targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure in response to relentless attacks threatening northern Israeli communities. For those living there, the dream of returning home was overshadowed by fear—a reality Israel could no longer ignore.

Among those was an older lady attending the wedding of her niece. As we were standing in line at John F. Kennedy Airport, preparing to board my flight to Tel Aviv, a symphony of phone alerts went off around me. Rocket attacks. The woman ahead of me, of short stature with curly hair, looked down at her phone in grief. She had come to the United States for her niece’s wedding, but now her expression said it all. “They just won’t stop," she muttered, her voice heavy. "I hate this. I wish they would just leave us alone.” I hesitated before asking, "Do you think it’s safe to bring my children to visit Israel right now?" Her eyes met mine, filled with the kind of direct confidence my mother always carried. “Definitely not,” she said firmly. “Not until the rockets and bombs stop.”

Her words lingered. She confessed her anxiety about returning home, about leaving the safety of the U.S., where she didn’t have to live under the constant shadow of Hezbollah’s terror. “You can’t go for a walk, sleep through the night, or take your kids to the park without a rocket alert,” she explained. I asked if the Iron Dome gave her any comfort. She nodded with a faint smile. "Yes, when it works." Before I could say anything, another round of alerts blared from our phones. The people passing by El-Al's kiosk looked confused, their faces scrunched in mild annoyance at all the beeping. I wanted to shake them and say, "Do you realize how lucky we are here? How blessed we are not to face rockets raining down on us every single day?" But I held back, knowing it wouldn’t matter. They would probably still cheer for Hezbollah, oblivious to the fact that Hezbollah would just as gladly target Westerners who refuse to submit to Iran’s version of Sharia law.

Hidden in Plain Sight

When I returned from Israel, I began to grasp the full scope of Hezbollah’s tactics. The IDF revealed how Hezbollah had been exploiting hospitals, residential areas, and even pharmacies to store weapons—putting countless Lebanese civilians in danger. On December 27, the 226th Brigade uncovered a truck loaded with 40 rocket launchers and a massive weapons stash hidden in a pharmacy in southern Lebanon. The violations of ceasefire agreements didn’t stop there. On January 1, 25, and 28, IDF soldiers intercepted vehicles smuggling weapons and launching attacks on Israeli forces. With these escalating threats, Israel had no choice but to act. The Israeli Air Force struck weapons depots, vehicles, and other targets to neutralize the danger.

Then came a shocking discovery on January 16: a sprawling network of terror infrastructure, both above and below ground. Weapons depots were found near a UN post, and a fully loaded rocket launcher was aimed directly at Israeli territory. Each new revelation highlighted the complexity and the urgency of dismantling these threats. And what’s driving this surge of hostility? Iran’s relentless push for global power is demonstrated by the amount of weapons its proxy armies possess. If the world doesn’t wake up to the sheer scale of this threat, the freedoms we cherish in the West may be erased. Those who have escaped Iran’s grip tell harrowing stories. Yet the world refuses to listen. Standing in that Tel Aviv Elevator, listening to a stranger’s broken heart, I realized this isn’t just Israel’s fight. It’s ours. Iran's proxy network doesn’t stop at borders. Today, it’s 40 rocket launchers in a Lebanese pharmacy. Tomorrow, it could be weapons caches in Eurposean cities or American suburbs. The same tactics, the same strategy, the same disregard for innocent life. We ignore Iran’s expanding blue at our own peril.

All Source Facts Regarding Military Actions come from the source:

 IDF. “Hezbollah’s Disregard for the Understandings Reached in Lebanon - Here’s What You Need to Know.” Accessed February 27, 2025. https://www.idf.il/en/articles/2025/hezbollah-s-disregard-for-the-understandings-reached-in-lebanon-here-s-what-you-need-to-know/.