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Intelligence profiles · 7 key actors in the Israel–Iran conflict theater
IDFSTATE MILITARY
Israel Defense Forces
PERSONNEL
~170,000 active + 465,000 reserve
LEADERSHIP
Chief of Staff: Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi
Key Capabilities
- ›F-35I Adir stealth fighters (50+ aircraft)
- ›Arrow-3, David's Sling, Iron Dome layered defense
- ›Submarine-launched cruise missiles (Dolphin-class)
- ›Cyber Unit 8200 — world-class offensive capabilities
RECENT ACTIVITY
Oct 2024: Extensive airstrikes on Iran's air defense radars in Isfahan. Ongoing strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon. Ground operation in Gaza.
IRGCSTATE MILITARY
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
PERSONNEL
~125,000 active + Basij militia
LEADERSHIP
Commander: Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami
Key Capabilities
- ›2,000+ ballistic/cruise missiles (Shahab, Fattah, Paveh)
- ›Shahed-136/238 loitering munitions (drones)
- ›Quds Force — proxy coordination across region
- ›Underground missile cities (hardened silos)
RECENT ACTIVITY
Apr 2024: First direct attack on Israel (True Promise I) — 320+ projectiles. Oct 2024: True Promise II — 180 ballistic missiles. Ongoing Quds Force support to Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis.
MossadINTELLIGENCE
HaMossad leModi'in uleTafkidim Meyuḥadim
LEADERSHIP
Director: David Barnea
Key Capabilities
- ›HUMINT networks inside Iran, Lebanon, Gaza
- ›Assassination operations (Haniyeh, IRGC scientists)
- ›Sabotage of Iranian nuclear infrastructure (Natanz)
- ›Pegasus-class cyber intelligence collection
RECENT ACTIVITY
Jul 2024: Hamas chief Haniyeh killed in Tehran. Apr 2024: Pager/radio detonation against Hezbollah operatives. Ongoing sabotage of IRGC supply lines in Syria.
HezbollahPROXY FORCE
Ḥizb Allāh — Party of God
PERSONNEL
~100,000 fighters
LEADERSHIP
Secretary-General: Naim Qassem (post-Nasrallah)
Key Capabilities
- ›150,000–200,000 rockets and missiles
- ›Precision-guided munitions (Fateh-110 from Iran)
- ›Drone fleet including attack UAVs
- ›Tunnel network in southern Lebanon
RECENT ACTIVITY
Sep 2024: Secretary-General Nasrallah killed in IDF airstrike on Beirut suburb. Thousands of fighters killed. Pager attack devastated command structure. Ongoing rocket fire at northern Israel.
HamasPROXY FORCE
Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-ʾIslāmiyyah
PERSONNEL
~30,000–40,000 (pre-war est.)
LEADERSHIP
Military Wing: Mohammed Deif (status unclear), Sinwar killed Oct 2024
Key Capabilities
- ›Extensive tunnel network under Gaza
- ›Qassam rockets (short-range, mass production)
- ›Anti-tank guided missiles (RPG-29, Kornet)
- ›IED manufacturing and urban ambush tactics
RECENT ACTIVITY
Oct 7, 2023: Mass attack on Israel — 1,200 killed, 251 taken hostage. Ongoing urban resistance in Gaza. Oct 2024: Leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Rafah. Leadership significantly degraded.
HouthisPROXY FORCE
Ansar Allah — Supporters of God
PERSONNEL
~200,000 fighters
LEADERSHIP
Supreme Commander: Abdul-Malik al-Houthi
Key Capabilities
- ›Anti-ship ballistic missiles (Asef / Nusuk)
- ›Shahed-pattern drones from Iran
- ›Control of Bab-el-Mandeb strait (Red Sea chokepoint)
- ›Kamikaze USVs (unmanned surface vehicles)
RECENT ACTIVITY
Nov 2023–present: 90+ attacks on commercial shipping in Red Sea. Multiple missile strikes at Israel (intercepted by Arrow/US). US-UK Operation Prosperity Guardian airstrikes ongoing.
PMFPROXY FORCE
Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi)
PERSONNEL
~200,000 across factions
LEADERSHIP
Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis killed 2020; multiple faction commanders
Key Capabilities
- ›Drone swarms targeting US bases in Iraq/Syria
- ›Katyusha rocket batteries
- ›Cross-border attack facilitation for IRGC
- ›Intelligence collection on US/Israeli assets
RECENT ACTIVITY
Oct 2023–present: Hundreds of drone attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria. Jan 2024: Tower 22 attack in Jordan killed 3 US soldiers. US retaliatory strikes on PMF leadership.
OPEN-SOURCE INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENT · SOURCES: IISS, CSIS, ACLED, SIPRI · UPDATED FEB 2025