Tensions have risen over the site in recent weeks after a gas production vessel arrived in Israel to begin drilling operations in the offshore field, prompting condemnation from Lebanon, which has claimed parts of it. Israel says Karish is in its UN-recognized exclusive economic zone. One of the Hezbollah jets was shot down by an F16 fighter jet and the other two by Barak 8 missiles fired from the Saar 5 Class Corvette INS Eilat, the military said in a statement. Saturday’s incident marked the first operational drone interception of Barak 8 missiles by a navy ship. The UAVs were intercepted “at a safe distance” from the drilling platform, according to defense officials. Get The Times of Israel Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories By signing up, you agree to the terms Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah recently threatened Israel over plans to extract natural gas from the disputed offshore reserve, saying his organization is capable of preventing such actions, even by force. Energean works at the Karish oil field, offshore Israel, in 2020. (Screenshot/YouTube) However, the military said a preliminary investigation showed the drones did not pose a “genuine threat” at any point during their flight, indicating they were not armed and were instead used for surveillance purposes or to demonstrate their capability . The terrorist group later confirmed that it had launched the three unarmed drones, saying they had intended to carry out a “reconnaissance mission” in the area. Hezbollah added that the mission was completed successfully and “a message was delivered.” The IDF said the UAVs were “detected at an early stage and monitored throughout their flight by air control units” and “intercepted at the most appropriate operational point”. “You have permission, take out the UAV now,” a senior officer at the Navy’s operational headquarters can be heard saying over the phone, in a video released by the IDF. Defense Minister Benny Gantz responded to the incident, saying Israel was “ready to defend its infrastructure against any threat.” “The terrorist organization Hezbollah is undermining the ability of the Lebanese state to reach an agreement on the maritime border that is essential for the economy and citizens of Lebanon,” he said in a statement released by his office. “Israel will continue to protect its assets and considers itself obligated and entitled to act and respond to any attempt to damage them,” he added. Lebanon and Israel – which do not have diplomatic relations and consider each other hostile states – have been holding indirect US-brokered talks for nearly two years to resolve a maritime border dispute. Talks over the field have been frozen since last year after Lebanon tried to move its claim further into the zone Israel claims as its own. Last month, the Biden administration said recent meetings between its energy envoy and Israeli and Lebanese officials had led to progress. Israel and Lebanon do not have diplomatic relations and are technically at war. Each claims about 860 square kilometers (330 sq mi) of the Mediterranean Sea as within their exclusive economic zones. Both Israel and Lebanon have economic interests in the region, which contains lucrative natural gas. Lebanon, which has been facing an economic crisis since late 2019, sees the resources as a possible way out of its current situation. Also last month, the IDF conducted a major military exercise in Cyprus, simulating a ground assault deep into Lebanon in a possible war against Iran-backed Hezbollah. The terrorist group has long been a major adversary for the IDF, with an estimated arsenal of nearly 150,000 rockets and missiles capable of reaching anywhere in Israel. It’s not (only) for you. Supporting The Times of Israel is not a transaction for an online service, such as subscribing to Netflix. The ToI community is for people like you who care about a common good: ensuring that balanced, responsible coverage of Israel continues to be available to millions around the world, for free. Sure, we’ll remove all ads from your page and you’ll get access to some awesome content just for the Community. But your support gives you something deeper than that: the pride of participating in something that really matters. Join the Times of Israel Community Join our Community Already a member? 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