JERUSALEM: The Israeli army said it intercepted three drones launched by Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement on Saturday that were headed towards an offshore gas field in the Mediterranean.

“Three hostile drones approaching the airspace in Israel’s economic waters have been intercepted,” the army said in a statement, adding that the drones were headed towards the Karish gas field, which is partly claimed by Lebanon.

The drones were not armed and did not pose a risk, Israeli military sources said. One drone was intercepted by a fighter jet and the other two by a warship, the sources said.

Lebanon condemned Israel last month when a vessel operated by London-listed Greek energy firm Energean entered Karish field last month.

Israel claims that the field lies in its waters and is not part of the disputed area subject to ongoing negotiations on the maritime border. Hezbollah warned Energean against proceeding with its activities.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2022