Hizbullah acquisition of flying drone viewed as a significant leap forward

source: Lebanonwire, 8-11-2004.
summary: Lebanon`s Hizbullah guerrilla group said on Sunday it sent a small reconnaissance drone into "Israel" for the first time in response to repeated "Israeli" violations of Lebanese airspace. In a statement, Hizbullah said the drone reached Nahariya, a few km south of the Lebanese border, before returning to its base, adding it was the first of many planned flights. "Israel" confirmed the drone had entered its territory, saying it was an Iranian (!?) UAV (unmanned air vehicle) operated by Hizbullah. "The state of "Israel" views gravely any infiltration into its sovereign territory from the air, sea or land and will act to ensure the security of its citizens," an "Israeli" military statement said.
"Israel" withdrew from southern Lebanon in May 2000, ending a 22-year occupation, but often violates Lebanese airspace. Hizbullah and the Lebanese army sometimes fire anti-aircraft fire at "Israeli" planes that cross the border. The United Nations has often criticized "Israel" for the overflights, and warned both sides against stoking tensions along a border area, which has seen sporadic clashes since the "Israeli" withdrawal.‏
Riad Kahwaji, the defense correspondent of the international Arabic daily Al Hayat described the acquisition of such modern technology by Hizbullah as a "significant leap forward." He said it could enhance Hizbullah`s surveillance capability and information gathering endeavors although it is not clear what kind of cameras the drone was equipped with. However, by using such technology Hizbullah might be able to collect information about "Israeli" troop movements, weapons concentrations and other defense preparations.‏
Furthermore, Kahwaji said, the fact that "Israel" took some time before confirming the incident, "indicates that the drone had not been detected by "Israeli" radar."‏
Hizbullah called the drone "Mirsad-1." Kahwaji quoted analysts as saying that the use of such advanced technology by Hizbullah "is likely to escalate tensions" between "Israel" and Lebanon. The United Nations Security Council last September issued resolution 1559 urging Lebanon to liquidate all militias including Hizbullah and the Palestinian armed groups and to deploy the regular Lebanese army in all parts of the country.‏
Another report by the leftist daily As Safir said Monday that the "Israeli" authorities "were stunned" by the new development and immediately started an investigation into "Israel`s" failure to detect the Hizbullah drone. Information Minister Elie Frezli was quoted by Voice of Lebanon radio Monday morning as saying, "The official Lebanese stand on this incident is, like our stand on all "Israeli" violations and aggression, one of condemnation." He reiterated the government`s stand of supporting Hizbullah as "a resistance movement as long as there are "Israeli" threats and parts of Lebanese territory still occupied."‏