Israel reveals transformative artillery system targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah during delicate truce

(SeaPRwire) –   JERUSALEM: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have rolled out a new self-propelled howitzer to combat Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, employing it as a defensive weapon against Hezbollah assaults.

Ro’em, the Hebrew term for thunder, could serve a critical function should the 10-day fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah collapse. A second round of negotiations focused on disarming Hezbollah, set to take place between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors, is scheduled for Thursday in Washington, D.C. The ceasefire officially went into effect on Thursday.

Ehud Bibi, the IDF’s Chief Artillery Officer, told Digital that “The Ro’em brings a new capability to the Artillery Corps and the IDF as a whole, reshaping how firepower is employed on the battlefield. This marks a historic milestone, introducing a new era of more precise, faster, and more flexible fire enabling us to support troops on the ground more effectively.”

Per an IDF statement, “During the operation, troops carried out precise artillery strikes on multiple Hezbollah anti-tank and surface-to-surface missile launch sites, which had been used to launch attacks against IDF forces. The strikes were successful, delivering operational outcomes and rolling out new artillery capabilities, thus lessening the threat facing IDF troops and Israeli civilians.”

The IDF noted that these strikes were strictly defensive operations targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists amid the ceasefire. This howitzer has a maximum firing range of approximately 40 kilometers (roughly 25 miles). A three-person IDF soldier crew operates the Ro’em.

Elbit Systems noted on its official website that the system “boasts automatic loading and gun laying capabilities, fast deployment and withdrawal times and a high rate of fire. It offers a protected cabin for a crew of three.” Adding that, “Depending on the mission, SIGMA is capable of automatically selecting and loading the required projectile, propellant and fuze and laying the gun to optimally engage targets.” Also known as SIGMA, the Ro’em is produced by South Carolina-based subsidiary of Elbit Systems of America.

Hezbollah violated a previous November 2024 ceasefire, which was brokered by the U.S., when it launched missiles into Israel on March 2 in response to the joint Israel-Iran war on Iran’s regime. The Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces failed to adhere to a deadline in 2025 to disarm Hezbollah.

The United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 also required that Hezbollah be disarmed following the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon.

According to an IDF statement sent to Digital about the modern howitzer, last Tuesday, “Troops from the 282nd Fire Brigade of the Artillery Corps, led by the ‘Ro’em’ branch at the Mali (Ground Training Center) Fire Center, conducted… their first operational firing using the “Ro’em” howitzer, in support of IDF troops operating in northern Israel.”

The statement continued that “The ‘Ro’em”’is a new howitzer recently introduced into IDF service, bringing advanced and innovative capabilities to the battlefield. It significantly increases the rate of fire, enables engagement at longer ranges compared to existing systems, and provides enhanced mobility and maneuverability in the field.

Hezbollah attacks on Israel since March 2 resulted in the killing of 2 civilians and 15 Israeli soldiers. Reuters reported that Hezbollah has not disclosed its casualty figures.

Lebanese authorities report that nearly 2,300 people in Lebanon have been killed since March 2. Those figures don’t differentiate between Hezbollah terrorists and civilians.

Speaking at a Memorial Day event for the country’s fallen troops, the country’s defense Minister Israel Katz pledged to ensure that Israelis in the north, who have faced massive aerial attacks from Hezbollah, will be secure.

“Even as we gather here to honor our fallen, after weeks of determined operations by IDF forces in southern Lebanon, our commitment to the residents of the north remains clear and unequivocal, to bring them security,” Katz said. He noted that “If the Lebanese government continues not to fulfill its obligations, the IDF will do so through continued military activity.”

Reuters contributed to this report.