Israel will ‘hit Hezbollah mercilessly in all parts of Lebanon,’ PM Netanyahu says during visit to IDF training base struck by deadly drone

“We will continue to hit Hezbollah mercilessly in all parts of Lebanon – also in Beirut,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed during a visit to the Golani training base near Binyamina, where four IDF soldiers were killed in a drone strike on Sunday.

“We are fighting a tough campaign against Iran’s Axis of Evil that wants to totally destroy us,” Netanyahu said. “They won’t make it. We keep fighting. We pay painful prices, but we have tremendous achievements – and we will continue to achieve them.”

Netanyahu inspected the dining hall where the Hezbollah drone strike occurred and spoke with survivors of the attack, both at the base and in a nearby hospital. According to Israel Hayom, 42 soldiers remain hospitalized, including five in serious condition.

“The main thing is the spirit, the spirit that I see here; the great spirit of the soldiers and medics, fighters that understand that they are fighting for the eternity of Israel. With G-d's help, together we will fight and together we will win,” the prime minister concluded.

The initial findings of the IDF investigation revealed that the aerial defense array believed the drone had crashed after losing contact with it during a combined attack involving drones, rockets, and precision missiles, Army Radio reported.

After two drones were shot down, the aerial defense reportedly lost contact with the third drone and believed it had crashed, either due to its low altitude or the GPS disruptions operated by the IDF.

Despite the radar picking up the drone again for about 90 seconds, it wasn’t re-classified as a hostile drone.

Israel's Air Force commander has already ordered adjustments to existing procedures to prevent a repeat of the mistakes made on Sunday, which resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and injuries to nearly 60 others.

On Monday morning, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited the base and reviewed the initial findings from the investigation.

“This was a difficult event with painful results. We must investigate it, study the details, and implement lessons in a swift and professional manner. We are concentrating significant efforts in developing solutions to address the threat of drone attacks,” Gallant said.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi commended the soldiers for their quick reaction after the strike.

“We are at war, and an attack on a training base in the rear is difficult and the results are painful. You acted well in treating and evacuating the wounded and injured. Embrace the bereaved families, accompany the wounded, and strengthen the commanders and soldiers.”

“We continue to fight and train for the next time. The Golani Brigade notched many achievements in the war and faced difficult situations with determination, follow the path of [the Golani Brigade’s] heritage,” Halevi said.