File image.
Hezbollah on January 13 released video footage showing a drone strike on a command vehicle of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) north of the Litani River, amid reports of Israeli plans to further expand the ongoing offensive in southern Lebanon despite a near peace deal between the United States and Iran.
The Ofek command vehicle was targeted in the town of Yohmor al-Chkeif on June 8, using a fiber optic-guided first-person view (FPV) suicide quadcopter.
The vehicle is based on the Merkava Mk 2 main battle tank, with an improved armor package. It features a large, fixed superstructure on top of a modified Merkava hull and chassis. It is equipped with a wide array of radio equipment, in addition to Elbit Systems’ advanced satellite communication system.
With these links to larger, overarching communications and data-sharing networks, Ofek can offer a secure and physically protected satellite uplink and local network relay.
It is unknown how many Ofek vehicles are currently in service with the IDF, but the number is likely extremely low. This is the second one to be hit by Hezbollah during the current round of fighting.
The drone strike on the command vehicle was just one of several that took place in recent days. Other strikes that Hezbollah has shared footage of targeted a Merkava Mk 4M main battle tank, a Namer combat engineering vehicle, a D9 armored bulldozer, a Humvee vehicle, and a gathering of Israeli troops. Many of these recent strikes took place north of the Litani.
Last month, Israeli troops crossed the Litani’s 90-degree bend, just across from the border town of Metula, and stormed the strategic Beaufort Castle, which overlooks the Galilee Panhandle in northern Israel, as well as the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.
According to recent Arab and Hebrew media reports, the IDF is now poised to launch an offensive against Hezbollah in Nabatieh.
The Lebanese Armed Forces was spotted withdrawing from its positions in the southern town of Kfar Tebnit, close to Nabatieh, on June 13.
This escalation comes despite reports suggesting that Lebanon will be included in the upcoming peace deal between the U.S. and Iran. The deal is expected to be signed within a few days, and Israel’s latest moves in Lebanon may be meant to prevent this.
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kerboom! coconuts all round!
dear hezbollah, can we have more videos of idf filth running for their lives..