Militants launch drones from Lebanon into Northern Israel

On Tuesday, militants from Lebanon launched a barrage of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into northern Israel, resulting in fire outbreaks and property damage, according to statements from the Israeli military.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that out of the six drones launched, only one was successfully intercepted by the country’s Aerial Defense Array. The remaining UAVs managed to breach Israeli airspace, with one exploding near the community of Yiftah, close to the Israel-Lebanon border, igniting a fire in the area.

Although several other drones caused light damage to property, fortunately, there were no reported casualties as a result of the attacks, the IDF confirmed.

Israel’s state-owned Kan TV news outlet identified the perpetrators as Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group and political party known for its ongoing conflict with Israel along the border. The group has been engaged in hostilities since October 7, 2023.

Lebanese military sources revealed that Israeli F-15 warplanes intercepted several drones flying at very low altitudes as they approached northern Israel from Lebanon.

Hezbollah’s military wing, the Islamic Resistance, claimed responsibility for targeting Israeli officers and soldiers stationed at the Yiftah barracks using drones. They reported casualties among Israeli forces and claimed to have damaged an Iron Dome platform at the Ramot Naftali Barracks.

The drone attacks followed Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon, where Israeli warplanes struck a Hezbollah military structure and infrastructure in the area of Mazraat Aaqmata on Monday.

Earlier on Tuesday, Lebanese Labor Minister Moustafa Bayram stated that Israeli attacks had inflicted damage on approximately 3,000 business establishments in southern Lebanon. Bayram announced plans to seek assistance from the Arab Labor Organization and Arab member states to provide grants for those affected by the Israeli attacks once the conflict subsides.