High-ranking officer says disarming Hezbollah is key to combating explosive drones

Amir Avivi: “We see single drones powered by fiber optics, and it could be a swarm of dozens of drones that could be AI-powered.”

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Brig. Gen. (res.) Amir Avivi, chairman of the Bitchonistim movement, said the growing use of explosive fiber-optic drones represents a significant battlefield challenge, but argued that the threat can be mitigated through a combination of military, intelligence, and technological measures.

Speaking to Arutz Sheva-Israel National News, Avivi said the rapid development of drone warfare has been demonstrated in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “Ukraine has produced more than eight million drones in the past year.”

“We have seen how explosive drones are capable of causing strategic damage, sinking almost the entire Russian fleet and damaging strategic aircraft and many soldiers. The Russians are also using these capabilities, and this is a significant change on the battlefield,” he said.

Referring to Lebanon, Avivi said current incidents involving fiber-optic drones reflect only part of the potential threat. “We see single drones powered by fiber optics, and it could be a swarm of dozens of drones that could be AI-powered,” he said.

He added that no single solution exists for the threat and compared it to other longstanding battlefield challenges. “There is no single solution.”

According to Avivi, effective countermeasures require a combination of intelligence operations targeting supply chains and operators, improved detection capabilities, defensive drones, laser systems, long-range firepower, and protective networks.

“The better the grip on the territory, the better intelligence and the better the countermeasure capability, the significantly reduced threat,” he said.

Avivi stated that Hamas employed fiber-optic drones during the October 7 attack, targeting Israeli detection systems, radars, antennas, and observation equipment.

He said the drones were later used against IDF surveillance drones operating over the Gaza Division.

“This is not a new threat,” he said, adding: “When we went inside, the phenomenon gradually disappeared.”

Addressing concerns that similar attacks could occur in Judea and Samaria, Avivi said the threat exists but argued that Israeli operational freedom in the area changes the security picture.

“This threat also exists in Judea and Samaria,” he said, but added that the IDF’s ability to conduct arrests, gather intelligence, and operate throughout the territory reduces the danger. “As long as an offensive trend is maintained in Judea and Samaria, the danger will be less.”

Avivi concluded by saying, “a complete solution can come in dismantling Hezbollah. If you dismantle Hezbollah, there will be no drones.”