Israel strikes Hezbollah-run drone factories in Syria, Iran violating ceasefire

Flames rise following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. (Photo: AP)

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Thursday it struck underground drone production and storage sites operated by Hezbollah near Beirut, accusing the group of violating the November 2024 ceasefire that ended months of fighting along Israel’s northern border.

According to The Washington Times, IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari also revealed that another targeted site in Syria had been developing advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities under Iranian supervision. He alleged that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) helped Hezbollah establish a parallel drone manufacturing facility in the Iranian city of Isfahan.

“These sites were producing weapons used by Hezbollah to attack Israel,” Hagari said, though he did not disclose when the strikes occurred.

The IDF further disclosed that Hezbollah’s aerial unit, known as Unit 127, has launched over 1,000 drones toward Israel since the Gaza war began. According to an IDF statement posted Friday on Telegram, the drones have been used for both explosive attacks and surveillance operations.

Israel has long accused Iran and its regional proxies—including Hezbollah—of exploiting Syria as a key corridor for weapons development and transfers. Tehran, however, has consistently denied direct involvement in drone operations against Israel.