Hezbollah Downs Israeli Drone in Southern Lebanon amid Escalating Conflict

The Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah reported on Sunday that it had successfully brought down an Israeli drone engaged in a combat mission in southern Lebanon. The drone was intercepted above the Al Aishiyeh area and was allegedly "waging its attacks on our steadfast people," stated the group.

Escalating Hostilities

The interception comes amid ongoing exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, which have intensified over the past six months, running parallel to the conflict in Gaza. This has marked the most serious hostilities between the two sides since the major war they fought in 2006.

Drone Identification

Hezbollah identified the downed drone as an Israeli Hermes 450, a multi-payload drone manufactured by Elbit Systems, an Israel-based weapons manufacturer.

According to a Reuters tally, over 370 Lebanese individuals have lost their lives in the fighting, including more than 240 Hezbollah fighters and 68 civilians. On the Israeli side of the border, 18 individuals, including soldiers and civilians, have been killed, as per Israeli tallies.