The Israeli military turned to a medieval catapult to launch fireballs over the northern Lebanon border as its battle against Hezbollah terrorists intensifies, video shows.
Wild footage captures an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) unit mounting a flaming projectile onto a trebuchet, a French catapult weapon not seen in use since the 16th century.
The six-second clip shows the catapult hurling a fireball over the border wall, though it appeared not to go much farther than that.
The IDF told Israeli broadcaster KAN that the use of the weapon was a “local initiative” and not widely used in the battle against Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon.
The Israeli military claimed that the fireballs would allow Israel to clear the area surrounding the border that terrorists could use for cover.
“The area on the Lebanese border is characterized by boulders, thickets, and dense thorn vegetation, which poses a challenge to the IDF troops deployed in defense,” the IDF said in a statement.
While the video has been circulating on social media since Wednesday, it remains unclear when it was filmed.
An IDF official with knowledge of the incident said that while the weapon was not sanctioned by the Israeli military, the troops ultimately fulfilled their obligations in protecting the northern border, NBC News reported.
The weapons will allegedly not be used again, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Israel has heightened its defenses around the border as daily skirmishes continue between Hezbollah and the IDF, which have led tens of thousands to evacuate northern Israel and southern Lebanon.
David Turner is a globe-trotting journalist who brings a global perspective to our readers. With a commitment to shedding light on international events, he explores complex geopolitical issues, offering a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
