The IDF reported Monday it had intercepted a small drone that crossed into the country from Lebanon, adding that it had likely been deployed by Hezbollah. According to journalist and researcher Yoni Ben-Menachem, the IDF used "electronic warfare capabilities" to intercept the drone, which was collected by Israeli forces after it crashed.
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The drone was in the sights of Israeli Air Force units throughout its flight, the IDF said.
"The Israel Defense Forces will continue to operate in order to prevent any attempt to violate Israeli sovereignty," the IDF Spokesperson said in a Twitter message.
A drone that likely belongs to the Hezbollah terrorist army crossed from Lebanon into Israel. IDF soldiers spotted, monitored and downed the drone.
We will continue to operate to prevent any attempt to violate Israeli sovereignty. pic.twitter.com/Oh0VPUvlIY
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 18, 2022
On July 2, the IDF reported intercepting three Hezbollah UAVs that had been heading toward one of Israel's offshore natural gas rigs.
The launch of the UAVs appeared to be an attempt by Hezbollah to influence US-brokered negotiations between Israel and Lebanon over their maritime border.
Hezbollah issued a statement on July 2 in which it acknowledged that it "launched three drones of various sizes toward the disputed area near the Karish [natural gas] field on an intelligence-gathering mission. The UAVs completed their mission and delivered the information."
On July 7, reports said that Hezbollah had fired four UAVs, not three, all of which Israeli forces intercepted.
In February 2022, IDF forces shot down drones fired by Hezbollah and Hamas on Israel's borders with Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, respectively.
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