IDF says attempt to down one of its drones over Lebanon failed
News channel affiliated with the Lebanese terror group claims Hezbollah targeted the UAV with 'appropriate weapons' and forced it to leave the area, after reporting earlier the drone was downed in southern Lebanon
Shortly after IDF's statement, Al-Manar TV - affiliated with the Lebanese terror group - reported that Hezbollah targeted the drone over the country's south with "appropriate weapons" forcing it to leave Lebanese airspace.
The drone was gathering intelligence on Hezbollah targets near the border.
Last week, an Israeli drone was shot down in Lebanon during routine IDF operations to secure the border.
Lebanese media also reported that Hezbollah was responsible for shooting down the unmanned aircraft, but the Al-Manar network said that a resident of southern Lebanon shot the drone down over the village of Kafr Kila using a shotgun.
Lebanon's biggest militia, Iran-backed Hezbollah had vowed in August to shoot down Israeli drones in Lebanese airspace. That followed a suspected Israeli drone strike on a Hezbollah-linked facility in Beirut.
Tensions have risen between them as U.S. sanctions squeeze Iran, which Israel accuses of trying to set up precision-missile plants for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah has denied having such sites.
Reuters contributed to this report
