Prime Minister: Orders IDF "Special Operation" Against Hezbollah Drones
Xinhua News Agency, Jerusalem, April 28 (Reporter Pang Xinyi, Feng Guorui) Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated on the 28th that he ordered the Israeli military to begin a "special operation" two weeks ago to address the drone threat from Hezbollah. However, he noted that seeing results "will take time."
Later, the Israeli military reported that a contractor from the Israeli Ministry of Defense was killed by a drone while operating an excavator to dismantle "Hezbollah infrastructure" in the southern Lebanese town of Aytaroun.
The Times of Israel reported that drones carrying explosives pose an increasing threat to Israeli soldiers operating in southern Lebanon. Earlier this week, a drone killed an Israeli soldier; on the 27th, it resulted in several Israeli soldiers being seriously injured.
On the 28th, Netanyahu also stated that the Israeli military destroyed a large tunnel used by Hezbollah that day and is currently dismantling Hezbollah's armed infrastructure, killing a "large number" of Hezbollah militants. The current operational area of the Israeli military includes the security buffer zone established by the Israeli military in southern Lebanon, north and south of the Litani River, and the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon.
On the same day, the Israeli military confirmed the destruction of two Hezbollah tunnels in the southern Lebanese town of Kantarah, stating that the two tunnels have a total length of about 2 kilometers, with over 30 rooms found inside for "living and operational planning," as well as 30 shafts. The destruction of these two tunnels used more than 450 tons of explosives.
Israel's Channel 12 commented that the current fighting in southern Lebanon is the "most difficult battle" the Israeli military is facing, as they must engage in close combat with Hezbollah militants while also dealing with threats from distant rockets and anti-tank missiles. Both sides have suffered losses in personnel and equipment during the fighting.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced the initiation of special operations against Hezbollah drone threats in Southern Lebanon. On April 28, 2023, an Israeli contractor was killed by a drone while dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure. Israeli forces destroyed two tunnels used by Hezbollah, totaling about 2 kilometers, and reported significant challenges in ongoing combat with Hezbollah fighters, resulting in casualties on both sides.
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered special operations against Hezbollah drones two weeks ago.
- An Israeli contractor was killed by a drone while dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure.
- Israeli forces destroyed a large tunnel used by Hezbollah, totaling approximately 2 kilometers in length.
- The current operations are described as the most challenging faced by Israeli forces in Southern Lebanon.
- Both sides have suffered personnel and equipment losses during the ongoing conflict.