The “Last Supper” of Israeli Golani Brigade Soldiers: A Painful Blow to the Occupation
The Golani Brigade is considered one of the most powerful units in the Israeli occupation forces. It has been a key component of Israel’s military operations since its formation, symbolizing a spearhead for the occupation. However, this elite unit suffered a severe blow on Sunday evening when a Hezbollah drone struck its soldiers during dinner at a training base near Binyamina, south of Haifa.
According to social media activists, the soldiers believed it was just another routine dinner, but they were unaware that a drone, launched by Hezbollah, had pierced Israeli air defenses and crashed amidst their dining tables. The surprise attack led to the deaths of four Israeli soldiers and left 67 others injured, marking what many have dubbed their “last supper.”
Hezbollah’s Complex and Devastating Operation
Images and videos from the incident quickly spread online, with many commentators describing the event as one of the most painful strikes on the Israeli military since the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation, launched by Palestinian factions led by the Al-Qassam Brigades in October 2023.
Using the hashtag #LastSupper, social media users highlighted that October 13, 2024, saw the highest number of Israeli soldiers wounded since October 2023. More than 100 Israeli soldiers were injured in drone strikes and ground battles with Hezbollah, as well as in ambushes laid by Palestinian resistance fighters in Gaza. Activists noted that these injuries often lead to soldiers being removed from service and placed on the army’s “permanent payroll.”
Many bloggers described Hezbollah’s operation as a complex, multi-faceted mission that sent several messages to Israel. The first was that Hezbollah’s organizational and military capabilities far exceed the expectations of the Israeli occupation forces.
The Weakness of Israel’s Air Defense Systems
The second message, according to these commentators, is that Israel’s air defense systems, including the Iron Dome, have shown significant vulnerabilities in the face of Hezbollah’s suicide drones. This raises a critical crisis within Israel, as its much-vaunted defense systems have been exposed.
The Importance of Intelligence in Hezbollah’s Strike
Regarding the intelligence dimension of the operation, observers pointed out that Hezbollah’s ability to target the Golani Brigade’s dining hall at the exact moment of the soldiers’ gathering shows a high level of intelligence and surveillance capabilities. Hezbollah was able to track and monitor the base until the perfect moment for the strike.
This failure of Israeli air defenses and intelligence, as Hezbollah delivered such a severe blow, has been labeled a true defeat for the Israeli defense system.
Drones and the Future of Warfare
Researcher Saeed Ziad noted that drone warfare has dominated the last decade of conflicts, giving militaries unmatched aerial superiority and the ability to strike deep within enemy territory at nearly zero cost. He emphasized that drones, especially in the Arab-Israeli conflict, have been a game-changer, offering significant intelligence and firepower advantages at minimal human cost.
Ziad added that Hezbollah’s use of drones in this attack signals a major shift in the future of the conflict. He believes this will have a far greater impact on the conflict than Hezbollah’s possession of traditional rockets or artillery.
