Shocked by Hezbollah Haifa strike, Israeli officials, media vent out

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
14 Oct 2024 11:26

The Israeli newspaper Maariv points out that "Israel" currently lacks a dedicated interception system to handle drones launched from Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Yemen.

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A man looks on from inside an Israeli military ambulance at the site of a drone strike near the town of Binyamina, on October 13, 2024. (AFP)

Hezbollah's drone attack on a military base in Binyamina, south of Haifa, is "difficult, disturbing, and problematic" for the Israeli military, the Israeli newspaper Maariv indicated, pointing out that the main problem lies in "Israel's" failure in completing the development of a laser-based interception system to address this challenge.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, on Sunday evening, launched a swarm of one-way drones at a training camp of the Golani Brigade in Binyamina, south of occupied Haifa.

The Israeli occupation military admitted to the killing of at least four of its soldiers, while "Israel's" emergency service Magen David Adom confirmed that 67 were wounded in the attack.

The Israel Hayom newspaper noted that 52 Israeli soldiers from the Golani Brigade are still hospitalized, with several of them in critical condition.

Israeli media reported that 50 ambulances were dispatched to the scene where a #Hezbollah drone, flying undetected, exploded in a military base south of Haifa, after sirens failed to sound.

According to Israeli media, 39 injuries were reported in the drone attack, with many of… pic.twitter.com/rGqpgIFoov
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 13, 2024

"Israel" currently lacks a dedicated interception system to handle drones launched from Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Yemen, Maariv emphasized.

It indicated that the severe incident in Binyamina marks another milestone in the ongoing fighting between "Israel" and Hezbollah, highlighting the complex challenges that the Lebanese group poses to the Israeli air defense systems.

Maariv explained that the chances of downing a drone are lower than intercepting missiles, and this is why Hezbollah and other factions have chosen this weapon, stressing that the Israeli military "must act defensively" to bring down these drones.

The newspaper recalled Hezbollah’s April attack using a combination of anti-tank guided missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and two suicide drones. It also referred to two explosive drones that struck Hurfeish a few months later and another attack in the same month when an explosive drone targeted northern Golan.

Maariv cited Rotem Meital, CEO of Asgard Systems in Tel Aviv, which develops military technology for the Israeli defense industry, as saying that drones, by nature, have a particularly challenging radar signature, especially when flying at low altitudes, which complicates radar detection.

Hezbollah's drone strike 'difficult and painful': Halevi

Israeli media shared a common headline regarding Hezbollah's latest top-tier drone strike, describing it as a disaster.

Meanwhile, "Israel's" military chief Herzi Halevi described on Monday Hezbollah's drone strike as "difficult and painful".

"We are at war, and an attack on a training base on the home front is difficult and the results are painful," Halevi told Israeli soldiers during a visit to the site of the attack in the area of Binyamina, south of the occupied city of Haifa.

Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant shared the same sentiment during his visit to the Golani base, adding that a thorough investigation into the incident must be conducted, details should be examined, and necessary lessons must be promptly and professionally drawn.

Former head of the Intelligence Division, Major General (res.) Israel Ziv, said as quoted by Israeli media, "Hezbollah has achieved a great accomplishment, and I do not underestimate it," demanding that the government give an accurate statement regarding the return of the settlers to the north.

He further pointed out that "Hezbollah was able to recover despite the blows it received," noting that the Resistance group is dragging "Israel today into a bloody and painful war of attrition for a long period. This is a great achievement to its credit."

Gideon Levy, a renowned Israeli political analyst, has warned that the recent Hezbollah attack in Binyamina signals a costly conflict for "Israel".

"This is just the beginning of the war in Lebanon, not the end," he indicated, warning that the war's enthusiastic supporters should be prepared for severe consequences.

Also commenting on the drone attack, former Golani Brigade commander Kobi Marom said, "It was a painful and difficult night. We must be humble in front of Hezbollah," referring to the Lebanese group's capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Walla news website expressed growing fear of the Lebanese Resistance's capabilities, saying, "We were told that Hezbollah is defeated and broken, but it proved last night that it is still capable of being fatal," with other Israeli media reporting that "Hezbollah succeeded in recovering despite the "blows" it was dealt."

The Operations Room of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah issued a statement during the early hours of Monday, warning "Israel" of the dire consequences it would suffer as it continues its aggression against Lebanon's civilians and territories.

It warned "Israel" that what it recently witnessed in southern Haifa is only a small preview of what awaits it if it decides to persist with its aggression against Lebanon and its people.