The IDF is considering forming dedicated anti-tank units equipped with Hezbollah’s own captured arsenal, including tens of thousands of Kornet and Almas anti-tank missiles, which are comparable to Israel’s Rafael-made Gil system.
This development follows the recent capture of an unprecedented cache of advanced missiles from southern Lebanon, as reported by Israel Hayom on Sunday.
Initially, after seizing vast quantities of weaponry from areas previously under Hezbollah’s Radwan forces, the IDF considered destroying some due to the sheer volume. However, they ultimately decided to transfer a substantial portion back to Israel. Dozens of truckloads of these weapons, removed from multiple villages, were transported to prevent Hezbollah from re-arming.
The seized weapons, originally designated to boost Hezbollah’s long-range capabilities, include the Almas missile—a fire-and-forget, optical anti-tank missile reverse-engineered from the Israeli Gil system with a range of several miles.
Alongside the Almas, the IDF acquired a substantial stock of Kornet missiles. These Russian-made missiles, upgraded by Iranian modifications, have a reach of up to 7.5 miles and have previously been used in attacks on northern Israeli communities, making them strategically valuable for the IDF’s defensive capabilities.
