Even if Israel occupies southern Lebanon through military force, it will not be able to destroy all of Hezbollah’s explosive drones or rockets, Israeli public broadcaster Kan News reported on Sunday morning, citing a security source.
“Even if we occupy all of southern Lebanon, as some are suggesting, these steps will not be able to destroy the last explosive drones or the last rocket of Hezbollah,” the source said.
According to the source, Israel’s defense establishment has estimated that while Hezbollah could be further weakened through targeted assassinations, infrastructure damage, and other operational activity, a true solution to end the northern threat is “not currently in sight.”
“A military move is not enough,” KAN cited the source as saying. “A political breakthrough is required, alongside the maintenance of prolonged military deterrence, in order to try and change reality.”
The sentiment comes specifically regarding the issue of Hezbollah’s drones. Currently, the IDF is taking various measures against it, including deploying anti-explosive drone barbed wire, which it has also supplied to the Lebanese army, to minimize attacks, and reports from last week that the military would arm soldiers with shotguns to use against the drones.
However, KAN cited defense establishment officials as saying that the operations in southern Lebanon are “specific defensive measures – not a solution.”
The IDF then successfully intercepted two Hezbollah drones that were flying in an area where Israeli soldiers are operating. Sirens were sounded in northern Israel due to concerns that debris from the interception could fall into Israeli territory.
Hezbollah also launched rockets and mortar shells towards IDF troops in southern Lebanon, which fell near the soldiers but caused no injuries.
Goldie Katz contributed to this report.