The Israeli army said Friday that it shot down a Hamas drone that crossed over into Israeli territory after being launched from the Gaza Strip two days ago.
The Hamas drone the IDF shot down.IDF spokesperson
Last week, Israel’s air force attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip in response to incendiary balloons launched by the militant group towards Israel the day before.
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According to Hamas sources who spoke with the Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar, the militant group has been using these incendiary balloons to pressure Israel and Egypt in order to forward negotiations over the entrance of construction materials to the Strip, with the hopes of rehabilitating Gaza after May’s hostilities.
Also on Wednesday, Israeli forces shot down a drone belonging to the Lebanese group Hezbollah after it crossed into Israel’s airspace. Incursions by Hezbollah drones occur every few months.
The incursion came at a time of increased tensions between Israel and its northern neighbor, Lebanon, and a week after Hezbollah fired 19 rockets at the Golan Heights. According to the IDF, three fell within Lebanon and 16 were crossed into Israel, aimed at open fields. Ten were intercepted by the Iron Dome. There were no casualties reported.
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In response to the attack, the IDF struck sites with artillery fire in southern Lebanon.
The IDF said Hezbollah deliberately fired at open areas in the Golan Heights. As Lebanon is on the brink of economic collapse, Hezbollah appears to be justifying its existence by attacking Israel, the IDF said, adding that both sides were not interested in an escalation.
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