Hezbollah drones 'keep Israeli Air Force wide awake': Israeli media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English
20 Oct 2024 11:32
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Israeli media expresses concerns over the competence of Hezbollah's drones, which have proven to challenge Israeli air defenses.

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Hezbollah fighters take part in a military exercise with armed drones in Aaramta village in the Jezzine District, southern Lebanon, on May 21, 2023. (AP)

"The Israeli Army acknowledges Hezbollah's resolve in military discipline and hierarchy," Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said in light of the daily confrontations at the southern Lebanese border.

According to the newspaper, even smaller units made up of three to six Resistance fighters operate based on the leadership hierarchy at the border. It further detailed that Hezbollah deployed hundreds of fighters only at the frontlines, and kept much bigger forces in rear lines for the longer battle.

Israel Hayom, on the other hand, said the drones launched by Hezbollah keep Israeli air defense officials and soldiers wide awake.

This comes after a drone from Lebanon was able to infiltrate occupied airspace without being detected, intercepted, or shot down. The drone successfully made an impact and detonated in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's place of residence in Caesarea.

Hezbollah's ingenuity

Israeli media expressed concerns and fear over the challenges imposed by Hezbollah's drones, particularly against the Israeli Air Defenses.

Israeli Army Radio's Amir Bar Shalom commented on the "pre-planned operation", saying it showcased Hezbollah's ingenuity, as cited by Israeli Channel 12.

In turn, the Walla! website said the incident is one of several during which Hezbollah proved its capabilities in the face of Israeli Air Defenses.

Several media outlets speculated that the drone launched at Netanyahu's house was the Sayyad-107, the same one used against the Golani Brigade training camp in Binyamina, which ultimately eliminated four soldiers and wounded at least 67 others.

In this context, Israeli experts confirmed that Hezbollah is a "smart enemy that still possesses hundreds and thousands of missiles, and is trying to strike specific targets, inflicting heavy costs on Israel in the field."

On Hezbollah's capabilities

Haaretz's military affairs analyst Amos Harel confirmed that Hezbollah's attack on Caesarea yesterday indicates a capability for "planned and accurate intelligence gathering."

"It is better not to ignore the implications of the event," he warned, noting that Hezbollah possesses precise weapons and claimed that it is willing to take risks to harm Israeli officials.

He also acknowledged that the attack on Caesarea exposed the Israeli defense system's lack of ability in dealing with drones, adding that Hezbollah "retains the capability to attack deep within Israel and disrupt routine life there."

Regarding Hezbollah's firepower system, there is a noticeable trend towards recovery, he stated.

Meanwhile, Colonel Kobi Marom, a national security expert, said 'the leadership, especially the Prime Minister, is completely detached from what is happening in the surrounding environment and is preoccupied with small internal politics during very complex days, where our fighters are fighting and being killed on the front lines, which is unacceptable."