Inexpensive fiber-optic drones are challenging Israel’s high-tech defenses, shifting the military balance in the Middle East.

A recent video showing an explosive-laden drone striking an Israeli Iron Dome battery couldn’t have been more symbolic: Israel’s famous air-defense system, which cost billions of euros, looked powerless against a small aircraft that cost a few hundred euros.

While the video’s authenticity has not yet been verified, experts believe it is genuine.

The footage was published about a week ago by Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based pro-Iranian militia, which Germany, the US and several Sunni Arab states have classified as a terrorist organization.

The drone strike, if genuine, would mark propaganda victory for Hezbollah and reveal a significant vulnerability in Israel’s military capabilities.

  • NoForwadSlashS@piefed.social
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    33
    ·
    20 hours ago

    It’s impressive that it’s not already considered being “on the offensive” to invade and bomb multiple neighbouring countries, as well as actions like boarding boats in international waters and imprisoning the occupants.

    • ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      arrow-down
      12
      ·
      edit-2
      18 hours ago

      I didn’t say that Israel is not on the offensive right now - it is. My point is that if the Iron Dome system is indeed compromised, that’s going to put pressure on Israel to stay on the offensive rather than to back down.