Israel Says Reviewing Strike that Killed Lebanese Soldier

A picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon shows Israeli artillery shelling of the southern Lebanese village of Adaisseh in response to anti-tank fire from Lebanon into northern Israel on December 3, 2023. (Photo by jalaa marey / AFP)
A picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon shows Israeli artillery shelling of the southern Lebanese village of Adaisseh in response to anti-tank fire from Lebanon into northern Israel on December 3, 2023. (Photo by jalaa marey / AFP)
TT

Israel Says Reviewing Strike that Killed Lebanese Soldier

A picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon shows Israeli artillery shelling of the southern Lebanese village of Adaisseh in response to anti-tank fire from Lebanon into northern Israel on December 3, 2023. (Photo by jalaa marey / AFP)
A picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon shows Israeli artillery shelling of the southern Lebanese village of Adaisseh in response to anti-tank fire from Lebanon into northern Israel on December 3, 2023. (Photo by jalaa marey / AFP)

The Israeli army said on Wednesday it was reviewing a strike that “harmed” troops in south Lebanon, an apparent reference to Israeli shelling that killed a Lebanese soldier and wounded three others the previous day.
The Lebanese troops “were not the target of the strike,” the Israeli military said in a statement.

It expressed “regret over the incident,” saying “the incident is under review.”

Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border since the start of the war between the Palestinian group Hamas and Israel on Oct. 7.
The Lebanese army said the soldier, a sergeant, was killed when an army position was shelled by Israel on Tuesday.
The Israeli army said its soldiers had acted in "self defense to eliminate an imminent threat that had been identified from Lebanon" from a "known launch area and observation point" used by Hezbollah.
The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon UNIFIL noted in a statement on Tuesday it was the first Lebanese army soldier killed during the hostilities, and that the Lebanese army had not engaged in conflict with Israel.

Hezbollah said in a statement that it had fired guided missiles at a group of Israeli soldiers in Manara in northern Israel in retaliation for the killing.



Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
TT

Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)

Israeli drones are now being used for more than just tracking and targeting fighters in southern Lebanon. They’re also setting fires to forests, intimidating residents, and stopping cars at night to broadcast messages through loudspeakers.

Recent reports and social media videos show these new uses. In one troubling incident, an Israeli drone blocked a civilian in his car in the border town of Khallwat in the Hasbaya district, holding him for several minutes.

Local TV channel Al-Jadeed reported that an Israeli drone briefly held a civilian in his car and shone bright lights on him. The man was able to leave safely.

Other reports say the drone stopped the man early in the morning on his way home, using strong green lights that caused him pain.

The type of light used by the Israeli drone is not clear, but experts believe it’s not a laser.

Instead, it was likely a spotlight used to help the drone’s camera scan the driver’s face and collect information. This process involves a camera that captures the image and sends it to a computer where AI can identify the person quickly.

Experts tell Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel’s advanced technology means the bright light could be used for intimidation, to confirm the person’s identity, or to analyze body shape data.

They agree that the situation is concerning.

In another incident, a new video showed an Israeli drone dropping burning materials on forests near borders in Lebanon’s town of Adaisseh. The footage shows the drone releasing the substance, which started a fire.

Israeli drones with loudspeakers have been also flying over border villages, warning residents and broadcasting messages. Locals say the drones not only relay army statements but also insult Hezbollah and incite against the group.

This has been happening in multiple villages over the past month.

Moreover, Israeli warplanes have been striking the outskirts of Zibkin, Naqoura, and Wadi Hamoul, causing severe damage to property, crops, and forests.

The Israeli military also shelled the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab and hit areas around Naqoura and Alma al-Shaab with artillery fire.