Israel Deploys Drones to Protect Gas Fields

Israel Air Force (IAF) has begun using drones (unmanned aircraft) to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the disputed gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea out of fear that they will be targeted by Hezbollah. The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported Tuesday that the decision to deploy IAF drones for surveillance came after Hezbollah warned Israel that it would protect the sovereignty of Lebanon''s maritime sovereignty. Lebanon "will remain vigilant in order to regain its full rights, whatever it takes," Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem was quoted as saying. Last week, the Head of Naval Intelligence, V.-Adm. Yaron Levi, said Hezbollah and Hamas have obtained advanced missiles capable of hitting Israeli ports or offshore oil and gas rigs.