Israel Weighs Major Restrictions on Civilian Drone Use Over Security Threats

Israel is moving forward with a series of strict regulations that could significantly restrict, or even ban, the use of drones, amid growing concerns that explosive or fiber-optic drones could be used by terror groups operating from neighboring countries or from Judea and Samaria, it was reported Saturday night.

A senior Israeli official said the issue has been discussed extensively during meetings of the political-security cabinet. According to the official, limiting civilian drone use could help security forces more easily identify and thwart potential threats. At the same time, the official acknowledged: "It has to be said honestly, this is a very serious threat."

Israel's defense establishment is particularly concerned about scenarios in which explosive or fiber-optic drones could be used to target elected officials or state institutions. Those concerns have grown alongside the increasing capabilities of regional terror organizations and their expanding use of advanced drone technology.

Earlier on Saturday, the IDF Spokesperson announced that an explosive-drone cell belonging to Hezbollah was eliminated in southern Lebanon after it was identified hiding near the Blue Line. According to the IDF, the operatives launched an explosive drone toward an area where Israeli forces were operating near the village of Tebnit before being killed in an Israeli Air Force strike.

Last month, ynet reported that the IDF had identified Iranian efforts to escalate tensions in Judea and Samaria by transferring the explosive-drone tactics used in Lebanon to the area. At the time, security officials said current assessments indicated there were no active explosive drones in Judea and Samaria. Nevertheless, as part of a preventive policy, the IDF confiscates every drone found in the area.

At the same time, the IDF's Central Command has recently tightened its operational guidelines for combat forces in response to the growing drone threat. In Judea and Samaria, a legal framework has already been in place since 2017 through a major general's order banning the possession of certain dual-use materials. Because drones can also be used for terror purposes, they fall under the order, and the IDF routinely confiscates large numbers of drones during operations.