{
  "id": 784392,
  "title": "IDF Working to Counter New Weapon That 'Gives Hezbollah A Chance'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/idf-working-to-counter-new-weapon-that-gives-hezbollah-a-chance",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-13T15:59:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/idf-working-to-counter-new-weapon-that-gives-hezbollah-a-chance-12315595"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Since the resumption of attacks in March, Hezbollah has begun employing fiber-optic first-person view (FPV) drones in their fight against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). These small, cheap, and easy-to-operate systems have made them difficult to detect and intercept using traditional methods, as they emit virtually no electronic signal. Israeli Captain Adi Stoler, who heads the IDF International Press Desk, described the use of these drones as one of the most cowardly ways to fight an army. However, the IDF is actively working on developing new solutions to counter this threat.\n\nThe IDF is currently exploring two main approaches to combat these drones. The first is a kinetic method, which involves the use of the SMASH Hopper remote weapons system and the Arbel system, both of which enhance precision small arms fire against moving targets. The second approach is more rudimentary and involves using netting to capture drones attempting to strike Israeli positions and personnel. The IDF has allocated approximately 158,000 square meters of netting for this purpose, with an additional 188,000 square meters expected to arrive soon.\n\nIn addition to these methods, the IDF has also taken steps to address the threat by assigning at least one soldier per squad to monitor the sky for incoming drones. The IDF is also studying the strategies employed by other countries facing similar challenges, such as Russia during the Russia-Ukraine war in 2024, where fiber-optic drones were used to repel an incursion in the Kursk region. While the IDF has not named specific countries with which they are exploring partnerships, they are open to collaborating with other nations in their quest to find solutions to this emerging threat.",
  "summary": "An IDF captain warned there is a \"specific tactical issue\" associated fiber-optic drones.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}