4 Israeli Soldiers Dead, 58 Injured
Lost Track of Suicide Drone Flying at Very Low Altitude
Israel's military, boasting advanced air defense technology with its 'Iron Dome,' failed to intercept a large-scale suicide drone attack by the Palestinian militant group Hezbollah, resulting in the deaths of four soldiers and injuries to dozens. Some of Hezbollah's drones reportedly evaded radar detection by flying at ultra-low altitudes, catching the Iron Dome off guard. With concerns about potential additional airstrikes from Iran, the U.S. government has announced it will provide Israel with additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems, intensifying efforts to devise an effective response.
Four Israeli Soldiers Killed... Ultra-Low Altitude Drones Evade Detection
On the 13th (local time), four soldiers were killed and 58 injured in a drone attack by Hezbollah at a military base near Binyamina, Israel. Ambulances were rushed to the scene of the accident. [Image source=AFP·Yonhap News]
According to local media outlet The Times of Israel, on the 13th (local time), a suicide drone from the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah struck a military base of the Golani Brigade near Binyamina in northern Israel, killing four soldiers and injuring 58. At the time of the drone attack, the Israeli military reportedly failed to detect the drones, and no air raid sirens were sounded.
Immediately after the attack, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the drone strike. In a statement, Hezbollah said, "We attacked the Golani Brigade base in the northern Israeli town of Binyamina with drones," adding that the attack was "retaliation for the Israeli airstrike on Beirut on the 10th, which killed 22 people." The fact that Israel's Iron Dome system, which is considered one of the world's top air defense networks, failed to even detect Hezbollah's drones has sparked controversy both inside and outside the Israeli military.
The Times of Israel cited officials saying, "The suicide drone that struck the base was an Iranian-made 'Ababil-T,' Hezbollah's primary attack drone. On the day of the attack, two drones were heading toward the military base; one was shot down, but the other appears to have flown at ultra-low altitude, disappearing from radar. The Israeli military likely assumed the drone either crashed or was shot down by another fighter jet, which is why no alert was issued."
The Israeli military has announced it will launch an immediate investigation. Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated, "We will investigate how a suicide drone was able to infiltrate and attack the base without triggering an air raid warning," urging, "Rumors about unconfirmed attacks should not be spread."
U.S. Provides Additional THAAD Support to Israel... Concerns Over Further Iranian Attacks
With the possibility of further airstrikes from Iran, the U.S. government has moved to provide additional THAAD missile batteries to Israel. According to CNN, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said in a statement, "Under the president's direction, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has approved additional THAAD deployments to Israel," explaining, "This action underscores the United States' unwavering commitment to defend Israel against further ballistic missile attacks from Iran and to protect Americans in Israel."
The move is seen as a response to concerns that if Iran follows Hezbollah with large-scale drone or ballistic missile attacks, significant vulnerabilities could emerge in the Iron Dome defense system. Earlier, on the 1st, Iran launched over 200 missiles at Israel, of which 32 were not intercepted by the Iron Dome and fell near roads around the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, exposing weaknesses.
Meanwhile, the Iranian government has emphasized efforts toward diplomatic peaceful solutions but also hinted at the possibility of full-scale retaliation, heightening military tensions. According to AFP, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, "We have made tremendous efforts in recent days to prevent a full-scale conflict in the region," but also made clear, "There is no red line when it comes to defending our people and interests." This is interpreted as a warning message signaling potential Iranian retaliatory responses to Israeli attacks.
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