The Israeli military says it has shot down three unmanned aircraft launched by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah that were heading towards an area where an Israeli gas platform was recently installed in the Mediterranean Sea.
The incident drew a stern warning from Israel's caretaker prime ministerThe launch of the aircraft appeared to be an attempt by Hezbollah to influence US-brokered negotiations between Israel and Lebanon over their maritime border, an area that is rich in natural gas.
“I stand before you at this moment and say to everyone seeking our demise, from Gaza to Tehran, from the shores of Lebanon to Syria: Don't test us," Mr Lapid said in his first address to the nation since taking office on Friday.Last month, Israel set up a gas rig in the Karish field, which Israel said lies within part of its internationally recognised economic waters.
Israel considers the Iranian-backed Lebanese group its most serious immediate threat, estimating it has some 150,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel. "The exchanges were productive and advanced the objective of narrowing differences between the two sides. The United States will remain engaged with parties in the days and weeks ahead," his office said in a statement last week.