[News] The strategic and tactical gains of Operation People of Might

[Anti-Imperialist News]

english.almayadeen.net 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/the-strategic-and-tactical-gains-of-operation-people-of-migh> 



  The strategic and tactical gains of Operation People of Might

Janna Kadri and Tala Alayli
November 28, 2024
------------------------------------------------------------------------

This article examines the economic and political repercussions for 
"Israel", the mounting legal challenges faced by its leadership, and the 
broader regional and international implications of this historic 
confrontation, following a 13-month battle with the Islamic Resistance 
in Lebanon.

87e6e943-b9b5-4c07-9467-f4e463391023.jpg

  * The strategic and tactical gains of Operation People of Might (Al
    Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail)

On the morning of November 27, 2024, the ceasefire agreement between 
"Israel" and Hezbollah came into effect, marking the conclusion of a 
protracted and devastating war that began in October 2023. This 
agreement, brokered by international powers such as the United States 
and France but ultimately shaped by the Resistance's uncompromising 
demands, underscored a pivotal shift in the trajectory of the war, with 
terms decisively favoring Hezbollah's strategic objectives.

The agreement symbolized the West's capitulation to the Resistance, 
driven by its inability to sustain the crippling military and economic 
toll inflicted on its settler-colonial protégé—an entity whose very 
survival hinges on the violent dispossession and systematic 
extermination of indigenous Arabs.

In this analysis, we lay bare the multifaceted dimensions of the war, 
dissecting Hezbollah's strategic and military triumphs over the 
settler-colonial Israeli regime. We further examine the economic and 
political repercussions for "Israel", the mounting legal challenges 
faced by its leadership, and the broader regional and international 
implications of this historic confrontation.


    Sustained Resistance and Strategic Achievements

Hezbollah’s steadfast ability to endure and confront one of the most 
technologically advanced militaries on the planet illuminates its 
remarkable strategic accomplishments during the war. Over more than a 
year of relentless hostilities, the Resistance inflicted profound 
military losses 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/beacon-of-victory--hezbollah-s-operations-room-issues-statem> 
on "Israel," demonstrating not only its advanced tactical acumen but 
also its capacity to reshape the contours of regional power dynamics.

*Personnel Losses*: While the Israeli army keeps its true casualties 
undeclared, statements by the Islamic Resistance's Operations Room 
confirm that over 130 Israeli soldiers and officers were killed, and 
more than 1,250 were wounded since October 1, 2024. These casualties 
resulted from direct combat engagements in southern Lebanon, precision 
rocket and missile strikes on military advancements, and the ambushes 
orchestrated by Hezbollah fighters in fortified regions, but do not 
include losses sustained from rocket strikes inside occupied 
territories. These numbers reflect a sharp escalation 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/war-with-hezbollah-to-be-deadliest-for--israel---130-page-re> 
in personnel losses compared to previous confrontations.

*Armored Vehicle Losses*: Hezbollah’s adept use of advanced anti-tank 
guided missiles (ATGMs) devastated the Israeli armored fleet, resulting 
in the destruction of 59 Merkava tanks, including the Merkava Mk. IV 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/al-mayadeen-breaks-down-hezbollah-s-merkava-massacre-in-sout>—the 
pride of Israeli military engineering. Additionally, 11 military 
bulldozers, two Humvees, two armored vehicles, and one armored personnel 
carrier were rendered inoperable, primarily in strategic battlegrounds 
such as Khiam 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-s-fierce-resistance-preventing--israel--from-captu> 
and Bint Jbeil. In these arenas, Hezbollah's mastery of asymmetric 
warfare rendered Israeli advances impotent, exposing the vulnerabilities 
of a military apparatus touted as invincible.

*Drone Losses*: The Israeli regime also suffered a blow to its aerial 
superiority, losing at least nine unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 
including six Hermes 450 drones 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-downs-israeli-hermes-450-drone--rocket-hit-kills-i>, 
two Hermes 900 drones, and one Quadcopter. These losses underscored the 
Resistance’s burgeoning air defense capabilities, which dealt a 
significant blow to Israeli reconnaissance and operational dominance in 
the skies.

*Operational Setbacks*: Hezbollah disrupted the Israeli occupation’s 
logistical chains and military convoys, compelling the constant 
redeployment of troops and resources to counter emerging threats. 
Strategic rocket and missile salvos reached deep into occupied 
territories, diverting Israeli resources to protect civilian 
infrastructure while further complicating its military calculations. 
Particularly notable were the Khaybar series of strikes 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-conducts-three--khaybar--ops--strikes-base-in-haif>, 
which employed advanced ballistic rockets, cruise missiles, and assault 
drones to target sensitive military and intelligence installations with 
precision.

*Strategic Implications*: These cumulative losses shattered the illusion 
of "Israel’s" regional military supremacy. Hezbollah’s ability to 
extract both direct and indirect costs from the occupation regime 
underscored the Resistance’s tactical evolution and operational depth. 
The relentless pressure imposed by Hezbollah forced "Israel" to curtail 
its ambitions, ultimately agreeing to a ceasefire whose terms heavily 
favored the Resistance. This result affirmed Hezbollah’s status as a 
formidable regional force and fortified its narrative of resilience and 
triumph against imperialist-backed aggression.


    Economic Repercussions for 'Israel'

The economic toll of the war on the Israeli settler-colonial regime 
reverberated across critical sectors, exposing the fragility of its 
economic foundations and the cascading vulnerabilities of its 
occupation-driven model of governance. Infrastructure, key industries, 
fiscal stability, and financial markets all bore the brunt of 
Hezbollah’s sustained resistance.

*Direct Costs*: The Israeli regime allocated billions to military 
operations, covering troop mobilization, logistics, and equipment 
expenditures. Hezbollah’s precision rocket attacks inflicted widespread 
damage on residential buildings, commercial hubs, and public 
infrastructure, with property damage alone estimated at $273 million 
<https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/costs-israel-hezbollah-conflict-lebanon-israel-2024-11-26/>. 
In the northern settlements, damages exceeded five billion shekels ($1.3 
billion), further exacerbated by widespread forest and land destruction. 
These financial hemorrhages underscore the inability of the occupation 
to shield its hinterlands from the Resistance’s strategic strikes.

*Impact on Agriculture*: Northern occupied Palestine, a vital 
agricultural hub 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-north-lost-some--131mln-in-agriculture-under-hezboll> 
contributing a third of the settler economy’s output, faced severe 
disruptions. The displacement of farmers and destruction of facilities 
led to acute shortages, particularly in eggs, where 73% of "Israel’s" 
annual production 
<https://www.timesofisrael.com/once-thriving-agriculture-struggles-to-stay-afloat-in-evacuation-northern-border-area/#:~:text=Israel's%20northern%20region%20accounts%20for,regions%2C%20the%20Agriculture%20Ministry%20said.> 
originates. To mitigate the crisis, the regime was forced to import 45 
million eggs—a stark indication of the systemic vulnerabilities exposed 
by the war. The loss of agricultural stability not only weakened local 
food security but also underscored the dependence of the regime’s 
economy on fragile and highly contested territories.

*Tourism Disruption*: Tourism, a cornerstone of the settler economy, 
suffered dramatic setbacks. The northern region’s evacuations and the 
constant threat of rocket fire rendered it inhospitable to visitors. 
Overnight bookings plummeted by 63% 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/Economy/tourism-in--israel--collapsing-amid-ongoing-wars> 
compared to October 2023 and an even more staggering 86% relative to 
October 2022. Such disruptions further deepened the financial strain on 
the regime, dismantling one of the key narratives of economic stability 
that it touts to its international backers.

*Financial Market Volatility*: The war sent shockwaves through financial 
markets, triggering sharp declines in the shekel’s value as investor 
confidence waned. Bond markets experienced significant volatility, 
driving up borrowing costs for the regime. While external traders, 
particularly Wall Street banks 
<https://www.reuters.com/markets/wall-street-banks-get-lift-trading-israeli-currency-bonds-2024-11-26/>, 
capitalized on this instability, reporting record revenues from trading 
Israeli assets, the short-term profits for global capitalists 
highlighted the long-term economic precarity of the occupation. These 
dynamics underscored the extent to which "Israel" remains an 
economically vulnerable entity, reliant on external intervention and 
speculative capital.

*Broader Implications*: The war plunged the Israeli regime’s budget 
deficit to 8% of GDP 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/-israel-s--budget-deficit-could-surge-to-8---israeli-media>, 
driven by skyrocketing military expenditures and the cost of 
reconstruction. Inflation rose to 3.5% 
<https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/202411254812/bank-of-israel-holds-interest-rate-as-inflation-exacerbates-war-uncertainties-update>, 
compounding household hardships amid rising prices and disrupted supply 
chains. Despite an illusory 3.8% annualized GDP growth in Q3 
2024—largely driven by emergency reconstruction and consumption—this 
uptick reflected reactive, short-lived economic activity rather than any 
genuine recovery or stability. The dependence on ephemeral drivers of 
growth highlighted the underlying fragility of an economy structured 
around settler colonialism and military expansionism.


    Impact on Haifa Port: A Symbolic and Strategic Loss

Hezbollah's precision strikes on Haifa Port during the war further 
exposed the vulnerabilities of one of "Israel’s" most vital economic 
arteries, delivering a decisive blow to its maritime infrastructure. 
Haifa Port, a keystone of the Israeli settler-colonial economy, endured 
significant damage that disrupted trade routes and exposed the fragility 
of an entity reliant on global economic networks to sustain its 
occupation-driven model.

The first salvo of rockets targeting Haifa on October 6, 2024, marked a 
turning point in the war. Subsequent barrages, including a large-scale 
attack on November 24 involving over 250 rockets 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-establishes-security-belt-reaching-tel-aviv--israe>, 
caused extensive damage to port facilities and surrounding 
infrastructure. The strikes set cargo containers ablaze, crippled 
docking stations, and rendered several operational zones inoperative, 
forcing the rerouting of maritime traffic to alternative ports. These 
disruptions reverberated across "Israel’s" economy, stalling the flow of 
goods and amplifying supply chain vulnerabilities.

The damage sustained by Haifa Port not only laid bare the limits of the 
regime's defensive capabilities but also signaled a broader collapse of 
confidence in its infrastructure. Global shipping companies hesitated to 
dock in Haifa 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/18-shipping-companies-re-routing-around-africa-amid-yaf-atta>, 
further isolating "Israel" economically. Haifa's symbolic significance 
as a hub of Zionist settler colonial expansion deepened the impact of 
its targeting. By striking a nerve center of "Israel’s" economic 
apparatus, Hezbollah effectively demonstrated the hollowness of 
"Israel’s" claims of invulnerability.


    Hezbollah's Strategic Narrative

Hezbollah's strategic narrative has undergone a profound transformation, 
cementing its position as not merely a defender of Lebanese sovereignty 
but as a pivotal force in the broader resistance against the 
settler-colonial Israeli regime. This narrative, deeply rooted in the 
material realities of the region, has resonated both locally and 
internationally, bolstering Hezbollah's legitimacy and redefining the 
balance of power in the Middle East.

*Defender of Lebanon and the Resistance*: Hezbollah’s portrayal as the 
unwavering protector of Lebanese sovereignty against Zionist aggression 
has become a cornerstone of its identity. This role is not merely 
rhetorical; it is a material response to decades of occupation, 
invasion, and dispossession inflicted by the Israeli regime. By 
embodying the aspirations of a population denied its fundamental rights, 
Hezbollah has transcended the confines of sectarian politics, 
positioning itself as a symbol of defiance against imperialism and 
colonial violence. This self-image has reverberated across the Arab 
world, where the Resistance is increasingly viewed as a legitimate and 
indispensable movement.

*Enhanced Military Capabilities*: The post-2006 period marked a 
significant evolution in Hezbollah's military doctrine. The group’s 
arsenal now includes an extensive array of precision-guided rockets and 
missiles capable of reaching deep into occupied territories. These 
advancements, demonstrated with devastating effectiveness during the 
recent war, are not accidental but the result of deliberate preparation 
in anticipation of prolonged asymmetrical warfare. Throughout the 
conflict, Hezbollah introduced new variations 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-s-latest-strike-on-ramat-david-base--the-fadi-type> 
of existing weaponry, such as the Fadi-1 series of rockets, maintaining 
the capacity to disrupt Israeli operations while sustaining its own 
operational tempo. This ability to innovate and adapt underscores the 
strategic depth of the Resistance, which has not only survived but 
thrived under conditions of constant external aggression.

*Negotiating Power in Ceasefire Agreements*: The recent ceasefire 
negotiations epitomize Hezbollah's ascension as a decisive actor in the 
region. Far from being a passive participant, Hezbollah dictated terms 
that forced the Israeli regime to retreat from southern Lebanon, 
effectively conceding ground to the Resistance. This outcome reflects 
Hezbollah's capacity to translate battlefield successes into political 
leverage, securing agreements that align with its strategic objectives. 
In doing so, the group has demonstrated its ability to challenge not 
only the Israeli occupation but also the imperialist powers underwriting 
its existence.

*A Material Narrative of Resistance*: Hezbollah's strategic narrative is 
grounded in the material realities of resistance. Its military 
advancements, political influence, and negotiating power are not 
abstractions; they are the concrete expressions of a movement that has 
repeatedly outmaneuvered a heavily militarized occupation. The outcomes 
of recent wars, including the reshaping of ceasefire dynamics, have 
further solidified Hezbollah's standing as an outstanding force capable 
of altering the political and military landscape of the Middle East.


    Ceasefire as a Tactical Win

The ceasefire agreement, brokered by imperialist powers such as the 
United States and France, stands as a resounding tactical triumph for 
Hezbollah, cementing provisions that decisively aligned with the 
Resistance's strategic objectives. The deal mandated the withdrawal of 
Israeli forces from southern Lebanon within 60 days, stripping the 
occupation of its direct military foothold near Hezbollah strongholds, 
while simultaneously affirming the Resistance’s control over key 
territories north of the Litani River. In doing so, the agreement 
underscored Hezbollah's dual role as a resilient military force and an 
unyielding defender of Lebanese sovereignty.

This victory illuminated Hezbollah’s unparalleled ability to influence 
negotiations with global powers, exposing the inherent limitations of 
Western-led campaigns to dismantle the Resistance. Despite the 
overwhelming support of the United States and France—staunch patrons of 
Israeli security—the terms of the ceasefire reflected Hezbollah's 
superior strategic positioning. The failure of these powers to curtail 
Hezbollah's influence further underscored the hollowness of their 
interventionist ambitions, as their efforts unraveled under the weight 
of the Resistance’s growing legitimacy and operational sophistication.

The ceasefire also laid bare the vulnerabilities of the Israeli 
settler-colonial project. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 
admission of the regime’s need to regroup and shift focus to other 
regional threats tacitly acknowledged the toll inflicted on its military 
and economic apparatus.

Within the Knesset, the ceasefire was branded an "all for nothing 
<https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-hezbollah-war/article/israeli-view-netanyahi-ceasefire-hezbollah-3rgs2k3lp>" 
outcome, with some ministers conceding that the deal was a necessary 
retreat to avert catastrophic losses. Such revelations dismantled the 
long-standing myth of Israeli military invincibility, revealing the 
occupation's incapacity to decisively counter Hezbollah’s resistance.

Moreover, the ceasefire signified the broader collapse of Western 
interventionist policies in the region. Decades of military aid, 
diplomatic isolation tactics, and coercive measures designed to erode 
Hezbollah’s capabilities were rendered futile. Instead, the Resistance 
emerged from the war with its stature not only intact but significantly 
bolstered, reaffirming its centrality to anti-colonial struggles in the 
Middle East. The unwavering connection between Hezbollah and its local 
and regional support base, rooted in material resistance to occupation 
and dispossession, proved far more durable than the imperialist 
strategies designed to undermine it.

In essence, the ceasefire agreement was not merely a tactical win for 
Hezbollah but a symbolic defeat for Western imperialism. It demonstrated 
the capacity of grassroots Resistance movements to withstand and 
counteract the hegemony of global powers and their regional proxies. 
This victory reinforces Hezbollah’s narrative as a legitimate and 
steadfast force, committed to defending Lebanon and challenging the 
broader structures of domination that underpin imperialist aggression in 
the Middle East.


    Regional and Popular Support

The 2023-2024 war indelibly fortified Hezbollah's status as a vanguard 
of resistance across the Arab and Islamic worlds, embedding its regional 
and popular support within the material realities of anti-colonial 
struggle. In the face of Lebanon’s profound economic and political 
crises, Hezbollah’s actions resonated powerfully with populations 
throughout the Middle East, reaffirming its role as the unwavering 
defender of sovereignty and an unrelenting opponent of Zionist 
aggression. Its appeal lay in its ability to articulate and embody the 
collective yearning for dignity and resistance against occupation.

At the heart of this narrative stood the towering figure of martyr 
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/it-s-been-40-days--but-he-will-live-on-forever>, 
whose leadership and steadfast resolve became the living symbol of 
defiance. His strategic acumen and unshakable commitment to the cause 
inspired deep loyalty and admiration, not only in Lebanon but throughout 
the region. Revered in life and in martyrdom, Sayyed Nasrallah 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/what-we-never-got-to-tell-you> 
came to personify the resilience and justice sought by those for whom 
resistance is not merely an option but a necessity for liberation. His 
legacy continues to galvanize the spirit of resistance 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/sayyed-nasrallah-s-martyrdom--a-catalyst-for-renewed-resista>, 
embodying the collective aspirations of dignity and sovereignty

The martyrdom of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah a week into the war was an 
Israeli attempt at disintegrating Hezbollah and weakening its structure, 
military performance, and morale. "Israel", over the past few months, 
executed a series of assassinations targeting Hezbollah's top leadership 
command. Just like with Hamas, "Israel" gambled on the possibility of 
destructuring the Resistance by eliminating not only the masterminds 
behind its operational superiority, but the founders of the organization 
itself. On September 17 and 18, the Israeli regime also triggered two 
mass terrorist attacks by detonating portable pagers and transceivers 
used by members of Hezbollah (administrative and military), resulting in 
thousands of casualties, hoping to diminish their service before 
launching their large-scale aggression on September 23.

However, because Hezbollah is extraordinarily organized and prepared for 
battle, the martyrdom of its frontline command and its most beloved 
leader, as well as the loss of thousands of its members, proved, as it 
has vehemently stressed before, that assassinations and martyrdom only 
nourish its determination. Consequently, its will to march to the 
frontlines and rain rockets down as far as Tel Aviv (and beyond), in 
eternal service and allegiance to their people, manifested and 
strengthened the people's reciprocation of utmost loyalty to the 
Resistance.

Domestically, the Israeli war machine sought to undermine Lebanese unity 
by deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and safe zones under 
the guise of neutralizing resistance leadership. These acts of terror, 
designed to sow division and incite civil strife, ultimately failed to 
achieve their objectives. Instead, the massacres and destruction only 
solidified national cohesion, as the Lebanese populace rallied around 
Hezbollah and its supporters in an unprecedented display of unity. The 
Israeli regime's attempts to manufacture internal discord backfired 
spectacularly, reinforcing the collective resolve of a society nearing 
victory.

Militarily, Hezbollah proved its capacity to sustain prolonged 
operations under relentless international scrutiny and military 
pressure. Its endurance in the face of one of the most advanced armed 
forces in the world underscored its strategic sophistication and 
operational resilience. This not only deepened its domestic support but 
also resonated across the region, where admiration for its ability to 
outlast and outmaneuver the Israeli occupation grew steadily.

Internationally, the war further revealed the moral bankruptcy of 
Western powers, whose governments enabled Israeli aggression while 
repressing pro-Palestinian voices 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/project-esther--right-wing-scheme-to-liquidate-pro-palestine> at 
home. In the collective West, solidarity with Hezbollah and the 
Palestinian cause emerged as a direct response to the complicity of 
Western states in genocide and colonial violence. Activists and ordinary 
citizens across Europe and North America faced state repression for 
opposing imperialist aggression, yet their defiance only amplified the 
growing disillusionment with the hypocrisy of so-called liberal democracies.

The West’s suppression of dissent—through visa revocations, home raids, 
arrests, and police brutality—exposed the hollowness of its claims to 
champion human rights. The dissonance between its rhetoric and actions 
unraveled rapidly, discrediting government narratives and fueling 
widespread anger. Movements like the student uprisings on US campuses, 
the protests of Dutch football fans 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/amsterdam-mayor-denounces-use-of--pogrom--as-propaganda>, 
and the solidarity campaigns of UK-based groups such as Palestine Actio 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/65-student-groups-unite-in-solidarity-with-palestine-action>n 
marked the awakening of a global consciousness that shifted support away 
from imperialist states to the oppressed and those who defend them.

By steadfastly championing Palestinian rights and opposing external 
domination, Hezbollah amplified its influence far beyond Lebanon’s 
borders. It became a beacon of resistance against the forces of 
oppression, inspiring solidarity across diverse communities united in 
the pursuit of justice. Sayyed Nasrallah’s role as a rallying figure 
cemented this legacy, galvanizing a shared vision of dignity and 
sovereignty in defiance of foreign domination. Through its actions and 
narrative, Hezbollah solidified its position not just as a regional 
force but as an emblem of global resistance against colonialism and 
imperialism.


    A Final Victory

Hezbollah's ability to impose sustained and multifaceted pressure on the 
Israeli settler-colonial regime—militarily, economically, and 
politically—while preserving and fortifying its territorial and 
strategic foothold, unequivocally positions the movement as a victorious 
force in the eyes of its supporters and beyond. The ceasefire agreement, 
far from being a compromise, stands as a testament to Hezbollah's 
resilience and tactical superiority. Combined with the devastating toll 
inflicted on the Israeli regime’s military apparatus and the cascading 
international legal and diplomatic crises confronting its leadership, 
this outcome solidifies the narrative of a Resistance that not only 
endured but emerged from this protracted war stronger, more legitimate, 
and more deeply rooted in the regional and global struggle against 
imperialism and occupation.
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