Three Israeli soldiers were injured on Thursday when an explosive-laden drone launched from Lebanese territory detonated near the northern community of Metula. The attack, claimed by Hezbollah, involved a drone carrying two S5 rockets. One soldier is in serious condition, while the other two sustained light injuries.
The Israeli military confirmed that the drone, armed with missiles, targeted a vehicle at a military position in Metula. This marks the first known instance of Hezbollah using a missile-armed drone in its attacks. Footage released by Hezbollah shows the drone flying over the army position before launching the rockets and then crashing and exploding.
مشاهد من عملية إستهداف المقــ ـاومـ ـة الإسـ ـلامـ ـية موقع المطلة التابع لجيش العـ ـدو “الإسـ ـرائـ ـيلي” بمسيّرة هجوميّة مسلّحة بصواريخ S5#ملحق pic.twitter.com/8Vfcnh0i3K
— Mulhak – ملحق (@Mulhak) May 16, 2024
The drone attack occurred amid ongoing cross-border hostilities following the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander earlier in the week. Hours before the drone incident, Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at the Golan Heights. The Israeli military reported that approximately 40 rockets were launched, with some intercepted by the Iron Dome system. No injuries were reported from these rocket barrages.
In response, the IDF conducted a drone strike on a vehicle carrying two Hezbollah operatives near Qana and Seddiqine in southern Lebanon, killing both. The IDF stated that the operatives were en route to carry out an imminent terror attack. Additionally, the IDF carried out over a dozen airstrikes on Hezbollah positions throughout southern Lebanon, targeting a rocket launcher, an observation post, and buildings housing operatives.
IDF: Earlier today (Thursday), an IAF aircraft, in a targeted strike in the area of Qana, eliminated a terrorist cell on their way to carry out an immediate terror attack on Israeli territory.
Throughout the day, IAF fighter jets struck and destroyed a series of Hezbollah… pic.twitter.com/F3smMJ8gnS
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) May 16, 2024
Expanded Coverage:
