IDF Shoots Down Hezbollah Drones Headed For Karish Gas Fields

IDF shoots down 3 Hezbollah drones heading for Karish gas field

Emanuel Fabian

The Israel Defenses Forces said Saturday it successfully intercepted three drones flown by the Lebanese Hezbollah terror group that were heading for the Karish gas field off Israel’s Mediterranean coast.

Tensions have risen over the site in recent weeks, after a gas production vessel arrived in Israel to launch extraction operations in the offshore field, drawing condemnation from Lebanon, which had laid claim to parts of it. Israel says Karish is in part of its UN-recognized exclusive economic zone.

One of the Hezbollah aircraft was downed by an F16 fighter jet, and the other two by Barak 8 missiles launched from the Saar 5 Class Corvette INS Eilat, the military said in a statement.

Saturday’s incident marked the first operational drone interception by Barak 8 missiles from a navy ship.

The UAVs were intercepted “at a safe distance from” the drilling platform, according to defense officials.

Hezbollah’s chief Hassan Nasrallah recently threatened Israel over plans to extract gas from the contested offshore reserve, saying that his organization is capable of preventing such action, including by force.

But the military said a preliminary investigation showed that the drones did not pose a “real threat” at any point during their flight, indicating they were not armed and instead were used for surveillance purposes or to prove they have the capability.

The terror group later confirmed it launched the three unarmed drones, saying they were intended to carry out a “reconnaissance mission” in the area.

Hezbollah added that the mission was accomplished successfully and ” a message was conveyed.”

The IDF said the UAVs were “identified at an early stage and monitored throughout their flight by air control units” and “intercepted at the most appropriate operational point.”

“You have permission, take the UAV out now,” a senior officer is heard saying over the phone at the Navy’s operational headquarters, in a video published by the IDF.