Hezbollah Releases Drone Surveillance Footage of Israeli Military Infrastructure in Golan Heights

 Following the release of drone footage by Lebanon-based Hezbollah showing Israel's military sites, a second high-definition video has surfaced, heightening fears of a possible conflict. On July 9, Hezbollah (allegedly backed by Iran) published drone footage revealing sensitive Israeli military facilities in the Golan Heights, under Israeli control. The footage, containing images and coordinates of military targets in Northern Israel, has circulated widely on social media and messaging apps like Telegram. Reports indicate that the 10-minute video was captured by drones over Israeli intelligence bases, command centers, and military camps in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

This marks Hezbollah's second such drone operation. Last month, they released a nearly ten-minute video from spy drones over various Israeli locations, including Haifa's seaport and airport. Despite Israel's advanced air defense systems, these drones, known as 'Hoopoe,' have managed to evade detection and capture footage of Israeli infrastructure in June 2024. Hezbollah regularly deploys both surveillance and attack drones into Israel, using the collected data for subsequent strikes.

The recent footage is significant as it comes shortly after Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a drone attack on an Israeli military intelligence base on Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights on July 7. Israel responded with counter-strikes on Hezbollah buildings in southern Lebanon. Rising tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have sparked concerns of a large-scale conflict, prompting several countries to evacuate their citizens from Lebanon. The US Pentagon has warned of a potential catastrophe if war erupts.

Harrison Mann, a former Defense Intelligence Agency major, indicated that the US might become involved in a regional conflict if another war breaks out between Israel and Lebanon. Despite these warnings, both sides continue to engage in regular hostilities. Hezbollah opposes Israel's actions in Gaza, calling them genocidal, and recently declared that Hamas' attack on Israel was a precursor to Israel's destruction.

With no signs of de-escalation, Hezbollah's recording of Israeli military sites is seen as an effort to bypass Israel's renowned surveillance and air defense technology. According to Reuters, following the deaths of senior commanders in Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah has adopted low-tech methods to evade advanced Israeli surveillance. Hezbollah's leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, described this as a "blinding" campaign against Israel, utilizing drones to research and target Israeli intelligence capabilities.

Israel claims to have killed several Hezbollah operatives in response to their attacks. The IDF routinely sends surveillance drones over the border and uses advanced electronic eavesdropping. However, Hezbollah has adapted its strategies, avoiding traceable cell phones and using traditional communication methods and code phrases. Hezbollah also operates a private communication network dating back to the early 2000s, using couriers to update codes regularly.

Hezbollah showcases its intelligence-gathering and UAV capabilities, including an attack on Israel's Sky Dew observation balloon. Although these claims couldn't be independently verified, there is substantial evidence and social media claims indicating evolving combat strategies within Hezbollah's ranks.

Israeli Air Force Grounds F-16 Squadron After Targeting Errors in Gaza

 The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has temporarily grounded an F-16 squadron stationed at Ramon Air Base for three weeks due to two significant incidents of incorrect targeting in Gaza. These errors, which the IAF described as a “landmark error,” occurred twice within a span of two weeks, revealing critical flaws in target verification and operational procedures.

The first incident was caused by the incorrect entry of ground coordinates, leading to an unintended target being hit. Despite changes to procedures after this mistake, a similar error happened days later during an overnight mission targeting five locations in Gaza. A digit error in the target coordinates led to another incorrect strike.

An IAF spokesperson highlighted the failure to follow ground verification procedures, attributing the mistakes to “negligence in entering waypoints, non-compliance with additional control procedures by the crew, and a failure to adapt to the updated procedures after the initial error.”

Fortunately, there were no casualties or damage from these incidents. The grounding of the squadron aims to prevent future errors and reinforce strict adherence to targeting protocols. The IAF plans a thorough investigation to address the root causes and implement stronger preventive measures.

This incident follows another significant error by the IAF nearly a month earlier when a combat aircraft accidentally dropped a bomb intended for Gaza on Israeli territory. The unexploded bomb, found on May 17 in Yated village near the Gaza border, posed a serious risk to local residents.

The recent grounding of the squadron comes amid escalating tensions and ongoing conflict in the region, emphasizing the critical need for precise military operations to maintain international credibility and minimize unintended consequences.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the “intense phase of the war with Hamas in Gaza is about to end,” but military operations would continue until Hamas is eliminated. He indicated that the conflict might soon shift focus to the northern border with Lebanon, where clashes with Hezbollah have intensified, underscoring the broader regional instability Israel faces.

Congress Approves Israel F-15 Sale Amid Controversy Over U.S. Bomb Shipment Hold

 The White House has persuaded two influential Democrats to lift their hold on an $18 billion sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized the Biden administration for delaying the shipment of thousands of heavy bombs to Israel.

Representative Gregory Meeks of New York and Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, leading Democrats on foreign affairs panels, confirmed they have ended their months-long blockade on the sale of 50 Boeing-made F-15 fighter jets, Raytheon-made Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, and Boeing-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions kits.

Netanyahu released a video in English criticizing President Joe Biden for the pause on the delivery of about 3,500 air-to-ground munitions, including 500- and 2,000-pound bombs, since April. Netanyahu highlighted this issue during a recent meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“It is inconceivable that in the past few months, the administration has been withholding weapons and ammunition to Israel,” Netanyahu said, emphasizing that Israel is America's closest ally in the fight against Iran and other common enemies. Secretary Blinken assured him that efforts are ongoing to resolve these delays.

The Washington Post reported that Meeks and Cardin lifted their hold on the F-15 sale, which is not expected for delivery until the end of the decade, due to pressure from the Biden administration and pro-Israel advocates. Additionally, the Biden administration is considering lifting its own hold on the 3,500 heavy bombs intended for immediate delivery to Israel.

A National Security Council spokesperson told Defense News that discussions with Israel about the munitions release are ongoing but provided no further updates. Blinken stated that the U.S. continues to review the heavy bomb delivery but noted that other military supplies are proceeding as usual.

Biden paused the heavy bomb shipment in May ahead of Israel’s Rafah offensive in Gaza, citing concerns over civilian casualties in a conflict that has caused significant loss of life and brought the region to the brink of famine. The last U.S. president to withhold weapons shipments to Israel was Ronald Reagan in 1982, following civilian casualties in Lebanon.

Meeks, who initially blocked the F-15 sale due to concerns about civilian casualties and humanitarian aid restrictions, reversed his stance after discussions with the White House and National Security Council. He emphasized the need for Israel to improve humanitarian efforts and limit civilian casualties.

Despite Meeks lifting the hold weeks ago, the State Department has not formally notified Congress of the F-15 sale or a separate $1 billion sale of tank ammunition and tactical vehicles. Such notifications would trigger a congressional review period where critics could seek to block the sales.

Congress has also introduced legislation to counter Biden’s bomb shipment pause and restrict the president’s authority to delay future arms transfers to Israel. The House’s fiscal 2025 defense spending bill includes a provision to prevent the Pentagon from withholding defense articles or services for Israel and mandates the transfer of withheld weapons within 15 days.

The Appropriations Committee advanced this bill, which will be voted on by the full House soon. Additionally, some Democrats joined Republicans to pass a bill reversing Biden’s bomb hold, though the Democratic-controlled Senate has not held a vote due to a White House veto threat.

Congress has invited Netanyahu to address a joint session on July 24, with key leaders from both parties supporting the invitation. Senators Lindsey Graham and Cory Booker also convened a private meeting with CEOs to urge continued arms sales to Israel. Palantir CEO Alex Karp and Booz Allen Hamilton CEO Horacio Rozanski were reportedly among the attendees.

Hezbollah Claims Destruction of Israel's Iron Dome, Releases Video Amid Escalating Tensions

 

Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah has announced the destruction of Israel’s well-regarded Iron Dome air defense system. This claim came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of potential "very intense" operations near Lebanon.

On June 5, Hezbollah claimed it struck an Iron Dome launcher near Ramot Naftali, referred to by Hezbollah as “northern occupied Palestine.” The group supported this claim with a video showing a guided missile hitting the launcher. Israeli media, however, did not confirm the aftermath of the attack.

Additional visuals emerged on social media showing an Iron Dome battery stationed at an Israel Defense Force (IDF) barrack being hit in a precision strike. Despite this, the IDF has not acknowledged any attack on the Iron Dome system. Earlier, on June 2, Hezbollah claimed to have destroyed an Iron Dome radar in the Golan Heights using attack drones, causing an explosion and casualties.

The video has sparked celebrations among pro-Iranian and pro-Palestinian social media users, who hailed it as the first-ever destruction of an Iron Dome battery.

Observers noted that while Hamas has attempted to destroy the Iron Dome in the past, there is no credible evidence of success, making Hezbollah’s claim more significant. Some users pointed out the irony of a system designed to destroy incoming missiles being destroyed by a missile.

Israel has extensively used the Iron Dome against incoming targets from Hezbollah and Hamas, particularly since launching a bombing campaign against Gaza following a Hamas attack in October 2023. The Iron Dome is credited with intercepting 99% of aerial targets launched by Iran in a large-scale attack in April 2024. Developed with US support, the Iron Dome is designed to intercept short-range rockets and has a reported success rate of over 90%.

The system’s reported failure to intercept a Hezbollah rocket has become a focal point on social media, highlighting Hezbollah’s growing capabilities. There are claims that Hezbollah has acquired more sophisticated weapons, allegedly supplied by Iran via Syria.

Israel and Hezbollah have been in continuous conflict since October last year, with Hezbollah opposing Israel’s war on Gaza, which has resulted in over 36,000 civilian deaths and widespread condemnation. In November, Hezbollah warned the US that Israel’s ongoing campaign could lead to regional escalation.

The recent destruction of an Iron Dome battery has intensified hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. Following months of daily clashes, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel was “prepared for a very intense operation” in the north.

Fighting has increased over the past week, with Israel conducting deeper strikes into Lebanese territory, raising fears of a larger conflict. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s readiness to restore security in the north during a visit to the border area.

Israel has intensified its attacks on Hezbollah members and Palestinian and Lebanese fighters in Lebanon. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched a drone attack on June 5, injuring at least ten people.

Netanyahu’s coalition partners, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have also called for aggressive action against Hezbollah. Israel’s Chief of the General Staff, Herzi Halevi, emphasized the military’s preparedness for an offensive in the north following extensive training.

Since October 7, Israeli strikes have killed around 300 Hezbollah members and 80 civilians. The Israeli military reported 18 soldiers and 10 civilian deaths from attacks originating in Lebanon.

Hezbollah's deputy head, Sheikh Naim Qassem, stated that while the group has not decided to expand the conflict, it is prepared to do so if necessary, warning that Israel would face significant destruction if the conflict escalated.