Hezbollah deploys armed drones in Israeli clashes

Hezbollah, a powerful armed group in Lebanon, has made headlines by announcing the use of a drone armed with rockets to target a military position in northern Israel. This development is part of the ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified following the conflict with Hamas that began in October.

The armed drone, equipped with two S-5 rockets, was deployed to strike a military position in Metula, northern Israel. Video footage released by Hezbollah captures the drone approaching the target, releasing the rockets, and ultimately exploding. This marks the first time Hezbollah has openly admitted to using this type of weapon during the current hostilities.

Reports indicate that three Israeli soldiers sustained injuries in the attack, which involved a drone carrying between 25 and 30 kilograms of high explosives. The utilization of drones enables Hezbollah to launch assaults from within Israeli territory, as these drones can operate at low altitudes to evade radar detection.

Hezbollah further escalated tensions by conducting another strike using attack drones on a base near Tiberias, marking their deepest incursion into Israeli territory since the conflict escalated. The group has diversified its arsenal, incorporating weapons such as Iran's Burkan and Almas missiles, alongside the Jihad Mughniyeh missile.

Despite the introduction of new weaponry, Hezbollah continues to rely on anti-tank missiles like the Kornet and Konkurs, known for their ability to penetrate Israel's defense systems. The group has significantly bolstered its weapons cache in recent years, claiming to possess advanced arms capable of reaching deep into Israeli territory.

Analysts perceive the ongoing skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah as a war of attrition, with both sides testing each other's capabilities and strategies. Hezbollah's recent offensives are viewed as retaliatory measures against Israeli attacks on their assets and commanders, such as the recent strike on a village in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.

Hezbollah's actions, including the targeting of the base near Tiberias and the deployment of rocket-equipped drones, are interpreted as efforts to dissuade further Israeli aggression while averting a broader conflict. The group aims to divert the attention of the Israeli army from Gaza and prevent a large-scale assault on Lebanon.

Hezbollah's use of armed drones to target Israeli military positions underscores the escalating tensions in the region. As both sides engage in tit-for-tat exchanges, the risk of a wider conflict looms. The evolving dynamics between Israel and Hezbollah continue to shape the security landscape in the Middle East, with implications for regional stability.