Israeli Warnings of an Impending 'Catastrophe': Chronic Military Failure in Facing Drone Warfare

The intensity of criticism within Israeli circles is escalating regarding the accumulated military failures in dealing with the threat of drones, especially with their increasing effectiveness on the Lebanese front. Writer Boaz Haetzni warned in 'Yedioth Ahronoth' newspaper that the army still suffers from serious technical and operational gaps despite years passing since the emergence of this threat in international and local battlefields.

The writer recalled the shocking scenes of October 7, when Hamas drones were able to neutralize advanced defensive and technical systems along the Gaza Strip border with extreme ease. He explained that these drones precisely targeted machine guns, surveillance cameras, and sensitive equipment rooms, paving the way for the crossing operation without significant technical obstacles, which reflected a dismal intelligence and military failure.

Haetzni criticized the military leadership's disregard for this method of warfare even after the outbreak of confrontations, pointing out that tanks and soldiers remained exposed without adequate protection for long periods. He affirmed that the protective nets placed on top of armored vehicles were initially the result of individual initiatives by volunteers and field units, and were not part of an organized plan from the General Staff.

Regarding the northern front, sources reported that Hezbollah has rapidly developed its aerial capabilities, using drones equipped with fiber optic technologies that make them immune to electronic warfare systems. Although these technologies appeared clearly in the Ukrainian-Russian war, the Israeli security establishment did not begin to take serious action to counter them until very late.

Reports indicate that the occupation forces in southern Lebanon suffered tangible losses in lives and equipment as a result of suicide drone attacks, as happened in the 'Shomra' incident where an artillery vehicle was damaged. Observers believe that these incidents would have been more catastrophic if the army had faced forces with technical skills comparable to those in the Ukrainian arena, which necessitates a comprehensive review of the defensive doctrine.

The writer drew attention to the fact that the Israeli Ministry of Defense only began requesting technical solutions to counter remote vision systems last month, a delay that reflects a state of 'arrogance and indifference'. He also criticized the failure to equip forces with 'shotgun' rifles effective against approaching drones until recently, despite their proven effectiveness in previous regional and international conflicts.

Haetzni believes that the gap between what the army declares and the reality on the ground remains enormous, with no real impact of lessons learned study committees on the ground. He affirmed that the National Security Council, established to avoid surprises similar to the 1973 war, completely failed to predict or prepare for drone attacks, which have become the most prominent threat to ground forces.

The analysis concluded that the Israeli security establishment refuses to abandon the traditions of 'underestimating the enemy', which always leads to paying heavy prices before starting to learn. The writer stressed that the continuation of this approach will inevitably lead to greater future catastrophes, especially in light of the rapid development shown by resistance factions in using cheap and effective technology to strike deep into Israeli military targets.

The Israeli security establishment acts like a driver who sees himself approaching a wall but does not believe in its existence until he crashes into it.