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Hezbollah drone strike near Binyamina exposes Israeli defense gaps – Israel News
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Hezbollah drone strike near Binyamina exposes Israeli defense gaps – Israel News

Hezbollah’s drone attack near Binyamina on Sunday, which injured 67 people, shows the growing threat of drones in modern warfare. The drone used in this attack is believed to be the Mirsad-1, a drone that Hezbollah has used for more than twenty years and is of Iranian design.

The Mirsad-1, as noted by experts at the Alma Research Center, is based on the Iranian Mohajer-2 model, with minor modifications tailor-made for Hezbollah’s operations. The drone can carry up to 40 kilograms of explosives, has a top speed of 370 kilometers per hour and has a range of 120 kilometers. Hezbollah has used the Mirsad-1 for reconnaissance and offensive attacks since 2002, often using it to penetrate Israeli airspace.

In the Binyamina attack, Hezbollah launched multiple drones under cover of a barrage of rockets, a tactic aimed at overwhelming Israeli defense systems. One drone managed to evade detection and crashed in the Binyamina area, marking a significant breach in Israeli air defenses. According to a report from Defense Industry Daily, this is not the first time a Mirsad-1 drone has slipped past Israeli defenses; a similar incident occurred earlier this year when Hezbollah drones flew over Israeli territory for several minutes before returning to Lebanon unscathed.

Expansion of drone arsenal

Hezbollah’s use of drones is part of a broader Iranian strategy to boost the capabilities of its proxy forces. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies explains that Hezbollah has increasingly incorporated drones into its arsenal to supplement its existing missile and missile capabilities. Drones like the Mirsad-1 allow Hezbollah to carry out precise attacks deep into Israeli territory, while minimizing risks to their personnel. This tactic, refined through years of trial and error, is part of a broader effort by Iran to arm its allies with advanced technologies.

The Mirsad-1 is just one of many drones in Hezbollah’s drone fleet. The group has a variety of drones, many of which are Iranian-made or adapted from commercial models. These drones are used for various purposes, including surveillance, intelligence gathering and suicide missions. Reports from the Alma Research Center suggest that Hezbollah has more than 2,000 drones in its arsenal, with some estimates claiming that the group has more advanced models such as the Mohajer-4 and Shahed drones.

A drone is seen during a military exercise at a secret location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on October 4, 2023. (credit: IRANIAN ARMY/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

The Binyamina attack has raised questions about the effectiveness of Israel’s air defense systems in countering drone threats. Although Israel’s Iron Dome is highly effective against missiles, it has faced challenges in detecting and intercepting small, low-flying drones such as the Mirsad-1. The IDF has launched an investigation into why no alarm was activated during the Binyamina incident, despite Hezbollah’s increasing use of drones in its attacks.

This latest attack is part of an ongoing drone war between Israel and Hezbollah. Since the 1990s, Hezbollah has launched numerous drones into Israeli territory, with many incidents occurring during periods of heightened conflict. In some cases the drones have been used for surveillance, while in others they have been loaded with explosives to carry out suicide missions. According to defense experts, Hezbollah often launches drones in combination with rocket fire to overwhelm Israeli defenses and gather operational data for future attacks.