DUBAI: Israel downed a Hezbollah drone earlier this week that crossed into its airspace, the Israeli military said Thursday. 

“Our troops monitored and successfully downed the drone (Wednesday),” the military said in a statement. 

“We will continue to operate in order to prevent any attempt to violate Israeli sovereignty.”

According to Israeli media reports, the drone was unarmed and likely on a reconnaissance mission.

Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel reached a boiling point last week, leading to rocket attacks from the militant group that drew Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire. 

Despite the animosity, both sides targeted open ground to avoid any casualties and potential escalation. 

The flare-up came on the heels of wider regional tensions with Hezbollah’s patron Iran, which has been accused by most of the International community of being behind a deadly attack on an Israeli-managed oil tanker in the Gulf that killed two people on July 29.