Israel: Attack on Netanyahu’s residence with a “hybrid” drone from Lebanon – How Hezbollah penetrated Israel’s air defense and intelligence

In recent days, Hezbollah has been using drones that fly at very low altitudes, with higher speeds, and appear to combine features from different unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Israel’s defense forces (IDF) are now examining possible scenarios about how Hezbollah managed to strike Netanyahu’s residence and the gaps in Israel’s air defense and intelligence systems.

Lebanon sent a strong message to Israel with two separate attacks, targeting multiple fronts. The most recent attack, a drone strike on the Israeli Prime Minister’s residence, did not cause significant chaos or casualties. However, a week earlier, a similar attack resulted in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers and dozens of injuries.

IDF sources mentioned that the drone used in this latest attack was smaller and more advanced than the one used in the previous attack. They remain uncertain about the exact type of UAV involved, raising concerns about Lebanon’s possession of such weapons. The drones targeting Netanyahu’s residence reportedly lacked powerful warheads but posed a serious threat due to their very low flight altitude and increased speed.

Another issue causing concern within Israel’s military leadership is not just the failure of air raid sirens but the fact that Hezbollah’s drones seem to incorporate elements from various UAV models.

Experts now consider the possibility that Beirut has the capability to create its own drones using components from older models. These “hybrid” drones could be relatively inexpensive yet highly effective by combining the advantages of various UAV types. If this is the case, Israel must quickly incorporate strategies to locate not only where Hezbollah is assembling these drones but also the individuals and infrastructure enabling such development.

There are also concerns about Israel’s intelligence capabilities. Hezbollah had detailed knowledge, coordinates, and a clear target, allowing them to program their drones for an attack on Netanyahu’s family home. This wasn’t a military base with extensive infrastructure but the prime minister’s residence in a purely residential area.

Hezbollah has released surveillance footage three times in the past year, showing drones mapping entire areas of Israel from north to south. Israel appears not to have taken this threat seriously, and it has already paid a heavy price.

Israel’s gaps in air defense, particularly in intercepting drones, are now evident, and this is something the country has fully recognized. Following the attack that killed four soldiers, Israel’s defense minister attended a demonstration of drone interception systems in the south of the country.

The Netanyahu government has now given the green light for local (mostly startup) and foreign companies to offer immediate solutions for drone interception, without the usual review and testing processes, specifically in the northern region.

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