Israeli soldiers on the northern border have been seen using a medieval catapult-like weapon to shoot flaming projectiles into Lebanon, igniting plantations to prevent Hezbollah fighters from infiltrating into the south.

Footage widely shared on social media shows the soldiers loading a trebuchet and flinging fireballs into Lebanese territory. “This is a local initiative and not a tool that is widely used,” the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement, denying that this is a widely adopted tactic by the forces.

  • DolphinMath@slrpnk.net
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    5 months ago

    For what it’s worth, this is the only article I can find that says it was for burning “plantations.”

    From NBC News

    The official said that while the weapon was not sanctioned by military leadership, the troops were fulfilling a legitimate military task of burning away thick shrubbery along the border where Hezbollah fighters sometimes hide.

    Or, if you prefer an outlet with a different perspective…

    From Middle East Eye

    Israeli media suggested that launching projectiles into Lebanon was aimed at exposing Hezbollah fighters using the dense foliage as cover in the area. It could also be in preparation for a ground invasion.

    • Linkerbaan@lemmy.worldOP
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      5 months ago

      What israel is allowed to do it create a buffer zone within their own territories. Move back their Nazi colony.

      What israel is not allowed to do is create a buffer zone in Lebanon by burning farmland and acres to the ground. Which they subsequently use as excuse to expand their Lebensraum on.