The elite Hezbollah unit was established by Imad Mughniyeh, head of the military committee and the organization’s second-in-command. It was initially known as the “Rapid Intervention Forces.”

From the outset, its mission was clearly defined: to prepare for a large-scale invasion of Israel and the occupation of settlements in the Galilee.

Radwan Forces. (X)

The Radwan Forces have been linked to several incidents along the northern border, including the 2006 abduction of soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, which led to the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War.

In 2008, Imad Mughniyeh was assassinated in a mysterious explosion in Damascus. According to foreign reports, the operation was carried out jointly by the Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, and the CIA. Following his assassination, the unit underwent structural changes and adopted a new name, taking on Mughniyeh’s nickname: “Haj Radwan.”

The assassination of Mughniyeh did not slow Hezbollah; on the contrary. Shortly afterward, former party Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said: “Mughniyeh’s blood will erase Israel from existence, and his brothers will continue his path, and the enemy will realize it made a grave mistake… Since 2006, we have been preparing for another day, the day we know Israel, in its aggressive nature, will attack Lebanon and start a war in the region.”

The newspaper continued, noting that acceptance procedures into the “Radwan Forces” are not simple, involving special training, numerous tests, and, of course, complete secrecy. According to reports, those accepted into Hezbollah’s “elite force” undergo “demanding physical” training in Lebanon and abroad, as well as weapons and equipment training that other members of the organization are not familiar with or experienced in using.