By Zein Khalil
JERUSALEM (AA) – Lebanese group Hezbollah reportedly seized an Israeli drone, according to Israeli media on Sunday.
Israel Hayom newspaper said the drone, belonging to the Metula settlement council, disappeared shortly after takeoff.
David Azoulay, head of the Metula settlement council, believes that the drone was seized by Hezbollah fighters.
“We searched for the drone across the town, but it disappeared, and we couldn't find it,” Azoulay said.
The drone was used to detect injuries resulting from Hezbollah attacks in northern Israel, the newspaper said.
The cost of the drone was estimated at nearly 50,000 shekels ($14,000), and it has thermal imaging capabilities.
“This drone performed a sacred duty. Now we will need to raise funds to purchase a new drone,” Azoulay said.
There was no comment yet from Hezbollah on the report.
Tension has flared along the border between Lebanon and Israel amid intermittent exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in the deadliest clashes since the two sides fought a full-scale war in 2006.
The border tension came amid an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip that has killed nearly 29,000 people following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 last year.
*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala