Hodhod Episode 3: Messages and Reactions
Hezbollah latest release, an 8-minute video captured by its drone Hodhod on Wednesday, showcases reconnaissance operations over the Israeli "Ramat David" airbase, situated 50 kilometers from the Lebanese-Israeli border. This base, the largest in northern Israel, is home to a range of Israeli Air Force assets from monitoring and reconnaissance to attack capabilities.

This footage follows previous releases by Hezbollah including a 9-minute video in June and a 10-minute video on July 9, showing detailed aerial reconnaissance of areas in northern Israel and the Golan Heights.

The Iranian- made drone, is named Hodhod 3 after the hoopoe bird, which became Israel’s emblem in 2008.

What the Video Shows:

The 8-minute footage, recorded on Tuesday, coincided strategically with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit to Washington. It offers a birds-eye view of the Ramat David base in northern Israel, which Hezbollah describes as the only airbase in northern Israel with various air specialties, including fighter jets, combat helicopters, transport and rescue helicopters, maritime reconnaissance helicopters, and offensive electronic warfare systems.

The footage also documents the airbase command headquarters, Iron Dome platforms, communications dome, garage, maintenance departments, officer accommodations, and other facilities. Additionally, it features a picture of the base commander, Colonel Asaf Eshd, who assumed his duties in July 2022. Hezbollah considers Ramat David one of the most important airbases in Israel and promised to distribute detailed information about its importance later.

The Message:


The Hezb later stated that "the message we wanted to convey with today's captured scenes is that the resistance does not fear the Israelis, underscoring their ability to strike any target. The pro-Iranian group emphasized that it "continues to gather information needed in confronting Israeli terrorism."

By releasing the footage, Hezbollah wishes to demonstrate its technological and intelligence capabilities, highlighting its ability to access deep into the Israeli base and convert data into a target bank.

Israel's Response:

Israeli media commented on Hezbollah's recent video, noting the Israeli army's failure to intercept the  drones, which reveal "important and sensitive information known only to a few." However, the Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated that the video was captured by a surveillance drone and that the airbase activity was not harmed. He emphasized that the Israeli army, including the Air Force, continues to operate against Hezbollah's air unit to protect Israel's skies.

Israeli media speculated on the broader implications of Hezbollah’s actions, portraying the footage as  a direct challenge to Israel’s national security and a demonstration of Hezb’s sophisticated intelligence-gathering operations. The revelation of specific details about the base’s operational structure and the commander’s identity has sparked debate on Israel’s preparedness against such threats.

Israeli newspaper "Israel Hayom" noted Hezbollah's ongoing psychological warfare, presenting a threat against the Israeli Air Force.

 
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