Israel prides itself on having some of the best air defenses in the world, but these billion-dollar systems are being tested by attacks from Iran-backed regional militias. Both the Lebanon-based Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels of Yemen have been engaged in tit-for-tat fighting with Israel since war broke out between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas in October. The groups have stepped up their use of explosive drones, which have proven more effective at evading Israel’s high-tech defenses than missiles and rockets. An escalation of their attacks could overwhelm Israel’s systems.
Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging near-daily fire along the Israel-Lebanon border. The US and France are attempting to broker a diplomatic solution that would end the fighting. Should those negotiations fail, Israeli officials anticipate a full-blown war with the militia.