Skip to main content

Israeli drone crashes in Lebanon for 2nd time in 3 weeks

An Israeli spokesman refused to comment on drone which officials say crashed into sea near Tripoli port
In Tripoli, a Lebanese soldier fishes out an Israeli drone that crashed near the city's main port (AFP PHOTO/HO/LEBANESE ARMY)

An Israeli drone crashed in the northern Lebanese port city of Tripoli on Saturday, the military said, in the second such incident in three weeks.

"At around 8:30 am (0530 GMT), a drone belonging to the Israeli enemy went down in the port of Tripoli, and the army has taken the necessary measures," the Lebanese military said in a statement, without elaborating.

A security official said the pilotless aircraft crashed into the sea.

"Fishermen had the impression a plane was falling down towards their harbour, close to the main port of Tripoli," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"They alerted the army which has retrieved the aircraft from eight metres (26 feet) under water. It turned out later that it was an Israeli drone," the source added.

An spokesman for the Israeli military refused to comment on the reports.

On 21 June, Israel carried out an air strike in eastern Lebanon to destroy one of its drones that had crashed in the mountains outside the village of Saghbine.

New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch

Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters

Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.