IDF strikes deep in Lebanon after drone downed

Hezbollah took responsibility for downing the IDF drone earlier in the night.

A view shows smoke and fire in Lebanon, near the border with Israel, as seen from northern Israel, October 31, 2023. (photo credit: REUTERS/VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA)
A view shows smoke and fire in Lebanon, near the border with Israel, as seen from northern Israel, October 31, 2023.
(photo credit: REUTERS/VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA)

The IDF struck in Baalbek in the Bequaa Valley in eastern Lebanon early Sunday morning, after an IDF UAV was shot down on Saturday, the military said. 

Air force jets attacked three Hezbollah terror infrastructures and a military complex belonging to the terror group's Aerial Defense Array. 

In addition, the military announced on Saturday it had attacked further Hezbollah infrastructure and a military compound in the Ayta Ash Shab and Odaisseh areas in southern Lebanon. Furthermore, throughout the day, artillery forces attacked the Yater area.

Earlier on Sunday, Lebanese sources reported the IDF had struck sites near Janta in the Beqaa Valley, just hours after an IDF drone was downed by a surface-to-air missile in Lebanon.

Some Lebanese reports indicated that Syrian air defenses were activated during the strikes in the Beqaa Valley, although there has been no official confirmation of such an incident as of yet.

 A Hezbollah fighter stands in front of anti-tank artillery at Juroud Arsal (credit: REUTERS/ALI HASHISHO)
A Hezbollah fighter stands in front of anti-tank artillery at Juroud Arsal (credit: REUTERS/ALI HASHISHO)

On Saturday night, the IDF said a drone was downed by a surface-to-air missile and fell in Lebanon. Hezbollah took responsibility for the incident, saying it shot down the drone.

Same region struck last time an IDF drone was downed

In February, the IDF struck sites used by Hezbollah's aerial defense array in the Beqaa Valley after an IDF Hermes 450 drone was downed by surface-to-air missiles over Lebanon.