Hezbollah's Al-Intiqad newspaper asserts that there are fears over the group's alleged increased naval capacity. The article cites a report issued by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies back in April 2007 entitled, “Obsolete Weapons, Unconventional Tactics, and Martyrdom Zeal: How Iran Would Apply its Asymmetric Naval Warfare Doctrine in a Future Conflict”(see pp. 33-34).
In addition to its previous use of anti-ship missiles, Al-Intiqad cites information in the Marshall Center report stating that Hezbollah may have also acquired small Chinese-made speedboats, as well as midget submarines since the 2006 conflict. It also asserts that these acquisitions, along with training exercises, are part of preparations to attack Israeli shores in the case of an Israeli attack against Iran. However, the Marshall Center report indicates that this information may very well be exaggerated, a point cited by Al-Intiqad.
The paper goes on to reference expert analysis of Hezbollah's use of anti-ship missiles during the 2006 war that portrays the groups effective, yet underestimated, defensive capability. The use of a Chinese-made and Iranian-developed C-802 or C-701 missile (there is debate over which weapons system was used) did inflict significant damage on an Israeli ship in the last conflict, which is described in the Marshall Center report as a 'strategic surprise’. Subsequently, Al-Intiqad also cites US sources that allegedly indicate Hezbollah's anti-ship capability is now being seen as a potential threat to American warships in the area.
However, it's worth mentioning that Italian-led UNIFIL naval patrols off the coast of Lebanon, in accordance with UN resolution 1701 (the mandate of which will likely be renewed later this month), would likely complicate efforts by either Hezbollah or Israel to launch an assault by sea. This, in addition to Hezbollah's yet to be confirmed offensive naval capacity, suggests that hostilities will not likely breakout in the Mediterranean between the two parties.
Furthermore, the fact that the Marshall Center report dates back more than a year begs one to ask, “why is it being highlighted now?”. Perhaps it's because both Israel and Hezbollah have increasingly threatened each other with military force in recent weeks. The Al-Intiqad story also coincides with an Al-Manar report alleging that Israeli has bought a new destroyer from the US for its navy. Overall, it's likely that as tensions continue to escalate, so too will the media chest-beating by both parties.
