Israeli soldiers stationed on the border with Lebanon have recently employed a trebuchet, a type of catapult dating back to the 16th century, in a rare military maneuver. The trebuchet, characterized by a rotating arm with a sling used to launch projectiles, was utilized by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to send a fireball into Lebanese territory.
According to reports, the IDF described the use of the trebuchet as 'a local initiative' that has not been widely adopted within the military. The purpose of launching the fireball was speculated to be for burning shrubbery along the border, aiding Israeli forces in identifying potential militants attempting to cross into the area. However, the IDF has not officially commented on these claims.
Footage capturing the trebuchet in action surfaced on social media, although the exact timing of the video remains unverified. The location was geolocated to the Israeli-Lebanese border, where the catapult was observed being operated.
While instances of catapults being used in modern times are rare, previous reports have cited their use by Ukrainian protestors in 2014 and Syrian rebels in 2013. The historical significance of trebuchets diminished with the advent of modern gunpowder artillery in the 15th century, rendering them largely obsolete in military contexts.
