Hezbollah Flew Drone Into Israel During Military Exercise

Joseph Eid/Ali Hashisho

An armed drone belonging to Hezbollah made an intrusion into Israeli territory and filmed two of the country’s military bases on December 3rd, reported Middle East Monitor.

During the second day of Israel’s military exercise, the unmanned aerial vehicle crossed the Lebanon-Israel border, multiple Middle-East based media outlets reported, citing Al-Nahar TV channel as the main source.

The drone reportedly filmed Biranit camp, a military camp in northern Israel near the border of Lebanon, and a military outpost in the Har Dov area, a mountain in Israel. Allegedly for the purpose of preventing drones from overflying the border from Lebanon.

Only a month ago, Israel reported to have shot down a drone belonging to the Lebanese Shia group, Anadolu Agency said.

Both alarming events come mere weeks after Hezbollah raised its alert status to the highest possible level, with its leader Hassan Nasrallah fleeing from Lebanon to Iran amid regional conflict.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) allegedly hosted a large-scale multi-front exercise named the “Lethal Arrow” at the end of October, simulating a war with Hezbollah. 

The exercise involved fighter jets, attack helicopters, naval warships, as well as movements by ground forces.

This all is unraveling while Lebanon and Israel are undergoing UN-brokered maritime border demarcation negotiations in efforts to find a solution for the long-held dispute.

However, talks were postponed “until further notice” after negotiations were stalled, both states’ officials announced. A Lebanese security source told Reuters that the reason for the delay was Israel’s rejection of Lebanese proposals.

Yet, only a week ago the Israeli military installed a new naval buoy within Lebanese waters at Ras al-Naqoura to mark its occupation of the disputed area.

Israel and Lebanon have been negotiating based on a map registered with the United Nations since 2011. Tensions have never been this high up until now, with no solution offered on the table yet.

Simultaneously, Israel’s air forces violated several times Lebanon’s air space last week, raising concerns as well as official complaints to the UN.

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