The incident highlights the increasing danger of First Person View (FPV) drones employed by Hezbollah in the conflict.
By Hezy Laing
In a dramatic, high-stakes encounter in southern Lebanon on Sunday, April 26, 2026, an IDF soldier successfully downed a Hezbollah explosive drone moments before it could strike a military helicopter evacuating wounded personnel.
The incident occurred during a precarious evacuation operation conducted by the elite Unit 669, which was targeted by multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) while assisting troops wounded by an earlier strike in the Taybeh region.
As the Air Force helicopter was on the ground loading a wounded soldier on a stretcher, at least two explosive drones were deployed by Hezbollah terrorists.
While one drone was intercepted by air defense systems, a second explosive-laden drone surged toward the helicopter and the assembled ground forces.
Footage shows intense moments where IDF troops on the ground fired at the incoming drone, narrowly missing it, resulting in a detonation only a few meters away from the aircraft.
Despite the explosion occurring just two meters from the helicopter, the rapid response allowed the Air Force pilot to execute an immediate takeoff, preventing damage to the helicopter and ensuring the safety of the crew and the injured soldier.
The attack was part of a broader, intensified threat from Hezbollah that day, which resulted in significant injuries, including the death of 21-year-old Sergeant Eidan Fuchs and injuries to six other soldiers, who were repairing a tank near the border.
The incident highlights the increasing danger of First Person View (FPV) drones employed by Hezbollah in the conflict.
Following the near-miss, IDF artillery and aircraft intensified efforts against terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon, aiming to secure the operational theater for evacuation efforts.
