Israel strikes Pantsir air defence system in Lebanon

On January 1, Israel targeted and destroyed a Pantsir missile system in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.

This strike was carried out within the context of the ongoing Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The Pantsir system, known by NATO as the SA-22 Greyhound, is a mobile air defense unit with missile and radar capabilities. It has been used in other conflict zones, including Syria and Libya. Earlier, shortly after midnight on January 1, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the Israeli Air Force had struck a weapons storage facility.

The strike followed an incident on December 31, where IDF soldiers observed Hezbollah terrorists moving weapons into a truck in Bani Haiyyan, southern Lebanon.

The IDF stated that its actions were in line with the ceasefire agreements between Israel and Lebanon, which were established in late November. The IDF also stated that it will "take action against any threat to the State of Israel and its citizens." Golani soldiers and Erez Program troops, operating under Brigade 769's command in the Saluki region of southern Lebanon, successfully located and destroyed a hidden weapons storage site. 

This facility contained rocket launchers, missiles, and explosive devices. In a separate operation targeting Hezbollah infrastructure on December 31, IDF troops uncovered missile launchers, explosives, numerous AK-47 rifles, grenades, wire-guided missiles, mines, surveillance equipment, incendiary devices, and tactical combat gear. 

Next week, Amos Hochstein, US President Joe Biden's special envoy, will visit the Middle East. His trip comes just before the expiration of the 60-day ceasefire agreement.

By Naila Huseynova