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Hezbollah fires missiles at Israeli drone over southern Lebanon

Lebanese security sources say the anti-aircraft missiles failed to hit target, which returned to Israel
Naqura, south of the Lebanese city of Tyre, which is controlled by the United Nations peacekeeping force (Unifil), on the border with Israel (AFP)

Anti-aircraft missiles were fired at an Israeli drone flying over southern Lebanon on Wednesday but did not make contact with the target, according to an Israeli military spokesman.

Two Lebanese security sources told Reuters that Lebanon's Hezbollah had fired at the drone. One of the sources also said the missile did not hit the aircraft, which then returned across the border.

Witnesses said they heard the sound of an explosion. Local channel NBN had said earlier that a drone had exploded.

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Iran-backed Hezbollah, which is predominantly based in the south near the border, has vowed to bring down Israeli drones breaching Lebanese airspace.

The two neighbouring enemies fought a month-long war in 2006.

Earlier this week, Hezbollah said it had brought down an Israeli drone, while Israel's military said the aircraft had fallen inside Lebanon.

“During operational activities by IDF troops on the Lebanese border, an IDF drone fell in Lebanese territory,” the military said in a statement.

They added that there was no risk of intelligence being taken from the drone.

Hezbollah then released images of a drone equipped with what appeared to be a camera.

Lebanon's government regularly files complaints to the United Nations against Israeli drones and jets that fly into Lebanese airspace.

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