Ready to Finish Off Hezbollah: U.S. Replenishing Israel’s Iron Dome and Bunker Buster Bomb Supplies

<p >Under the new Donald Trump administration the United States is preparing to proceed with a transfer of 1,800 MK. 84 900kg bombs general purpose bombs to the Israel Defence Forces, as the country rearms itself in the aftermath of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a suspension of hostilities with Hezbollah and the Ansurullah Coalition in Yemen. The bomb are well optimised to penetrate hardened fortifications, such as those deployed by Hezbollah in its extensive bunker and tunnel network that extends across Southern Lebanon. The United States <a href=" >shipped</a> approximately 15,000 bombs to Israel from October-November 2024, in the aftermath of Israel’s invasion of Lebanon and escalation of hostilities with Hezbollah, which included the delivery of 100 900kg bombs. These represent the largest conventional bombs in Israel’s arsenal, with the addition of 1,800 more expected to be a game changer for its offensive capabilities. </p><p >Israel has since November<a href=" > expanded its military footprint </a>considerably to occupy large parts of Southern Lebanon, while assassinating much of Hezbollah’s senior military leadership. Israel has also worked closely with Turkey to achieve the <a href=" >defeat of Syria</a> in December, and subsequently quickly moved to <a href=" >occupy large parts</a> of Syrian territory while comprehensively destroying the country’s abandoned air defence network and ballistic missile deterrent. With Hezbollah cut off from its supply lines with Syria’s fall to Israeli and Turkish backed militias, it is expected that Israeli forces will launch a new offensive into Lebanon, possibly supported by the opening of a second flank into Lebanon by Turkish backed Syrian militias. </p><p ><img src=" title="Smoke Rises in Beirut After Large Scale Israeli Bunker Buster Strike in October"></p><p >A day after President Trump’s inauguration, Israel was confirmed on January 21 to be making first use of a new $8.7 billion American military aid package to procure new surface to air missiles for its Iron Done systems, which form the lowest tier of Israel’s three layered air defence network. Israel’s stockpiles of interceptors have been seriously depleted by strikes by Hezbollah’s drones and rocket artillery, with the United States having helped to replenish the arsenal during the conflict. The contracts will see Rafael Advanced Defence Systems expand production of the missiles, with Israel Ministry of Defence Director General Eyal Zamir stating that the signing of the contract was “a central component in an unprecedented scope of effort, led by the IMOD together with Rafael and other defence industries, for force build-up and strengthening while fighting.” Iron Dome systems have suffered from attrition after <a href=" >multiple strikes</a> by Hezbollah, which achieved <a href=" >notable successes</a>. Hezbollah also <a href=" >successfully targeted</a> parts of the middle tier David’s Sling air defence system during hostilities. While Israel replenishes its arsenals with support from the United States, Turkish-backed jihadist groups in control of Syria have <a href=" target="_blank">actively intervened </a>to intercept arms supplies to Hezbollah through the country, which is expected to help ensure a much more favourable balance of power for Israel in future engagements.</p>