Hezbollah has increased its use of small first-person view (FPV) drones to attack Israel, including systems controlled by fibre-optic cables to evade sophisticated defences. BBC Verify has geolocated 35 videos shared by the Lebanese armed group since 26 March which show strikes on Israeli soldiers, armoured vehicles and air defence systems in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Experts told BBC Verify the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has 'so far been unable to develop any effective countermeasures', as the small drones can easily bypass detection systems.
The drones can also be made from commercially available and 3D-printed components - and are cheap compared to the high-value targets they can destroy. The use of cheap FPV drones has become widespread during the Russia-Ukraine war and has changed modern warfare.
While the Israeli military has not published all casualty details, Israeli media reports indicate four IDF soldiers and one civilian have been killed in FPV strikes, with dozens more injured. The IDF told BBC Verify it recognises the threat from drones and is investing 'significant resources' in improving defences, developing 'more effective alert models' and training soldiers for 'improving readiness and increasing awareness of the threat'.
According to the Institute for National Security Studies, the IDF has also been using FPV drones for several years, currently operating with them in southern Lebanon and against Hamas in Gaza. Hisham Jaber, a military analyst and former Lebanese army general, noted that FPV drones can be 'undetectable by radar' and the 'hundreds' of them at Hezbollah's disposal have been used to disable armoured vehicles - including tanks.
Hezbollah has been using several types of larger attack drones against targets in northern Israel for many years, but the use of FPVs represents an 'entirely different category'. BBC Verify has found nearly 100 apparent FPV attacks shared on Hezbollah's Telegram channel since 26 March, 35 of which have been verified. Hezbollah does not appear to have shared any footage of similar strikes from the conflict, which began on 2 March.
One verified video on Thursday shows at least four FPV drones attacking an Israeli border outpost near Kiryat Shmona, targeting a series of military vehicles. Videos also show strikes in south Lebanon, including an IDF helicopter rescue operation that resulted in one soldier's death and several injuries.
These fibre-optic tethered drones are challenging for Israel's defense systems to detect and jam, making troop movements more cautious and necessitating stronger defensive measures. Costs for assembling these FPV drones can range from $300 to $500, enhancing their appeal to militant groups.
This recent escalation in the conflict began on 2 March, after U.S. airstrikes in Iran. Since then, more than 2,896 people have died in Lebanon, and over one million have been displaced. Israeli reports indicate that four soldiers and 18 civilians have died in the ongoing conflict.
The drones can also be made from commercially available and 3D-printed components - and are cheap compared to the high-value targets they can destroy. The use of cheap FPV drones has become widespread during the Russia-Ukraine war and has changed modern warfare.
While the Israeli military has not published all casualty details, Israeli media reports indicate four IDF soldiers and one civilian have been killed in FPV strikes, with dozens more injured. The IDF told BBC Verify it recognises the threat from drones and is investing 'significant resources' in improving defences, developing 'more effective alert models' and training soldiers for 'improving readiness and increasing awareness of the threat'.
According to the Institute for National Security Studies, the IDF has also been using FPV drones for several years, currently operating with them in southern Lebanon and against Hamas in Gaza. Hisham Jaber, a military analyst and former Lebanese army general, noted that FPV drones can be 'undetectable by radar' and the 'hundreds' of them at Hezbollah's disposal have been used to disable armoured vehicles - including tanks.
Hezbollah has been using several types of larger attack drones against targets in northern Israel for many years, but the use of FPVs represents an 'entirely different category'. BBC Verify has found nearly 100 apparent FPV attacks shared on Hezbollah's Telegram channel since 26 March, 35 of which have been verified. Hezbollah does not appear to have shared any footage of similar strikes from the conflict, which began on 2 March.
One verified video on Thursday shows at least four FPV drones attacking an Israeli border outpost near Kiryat Shmona, targeting a series of military vehicles. Videos also show strikes in south Lebanon, including an IDF helicopter rescue operation that resulted in one soldier's death and several injuries.
These fibre-optic tethered drones are challenging for Israel's defense systems to detect and jam, making troop movements more cautious and necessitating stronger defensive measures. Costs for assembling these FPV drones can range from $300 to $500, enhancing their appeal to militant groups.
This recent escalation in the conflict began on 2 March, after U.S. airstrikes in Iran. Since then, more than 2,896 people have died in Lebanon, and over one million have been displaced. Israeli reports indicate that four soldiers and 18 civilians have died in the ongoing conflict.
