An Israeli military mission to uncover Hezbollah combat positions and hidden cross-border routes has brought an ancient technology back to life, according to an expert. Photos and video uploaded to social media show reservists with the Israel Defense Forces operating a trebuchet, a catapult-type tool used in the Middle Ages, throwing fireballs over the concrete barrier separating Israel from Lebanon.
Reservists who recently spoke on the condition of anonymity said they had been using the trebuchet since October to reveal hidden militant positions and infiltration routes near the border. Guy Stiebel, a military archeology expert at Tel Aviv University, confirmed the use of the tool by the IDF reserves.
The trebuchet’s purpose is to launch beyond fortifications, reaching up to 7-9 meters. Although advanced technology may not always provide solutions, ancient tools like the trebuchet can still be effective. The IDF did not deny the existence or use of the trebuchet by reservists in the north.
The trebuchet used by the IDF was not a particularly large model and had throwing distances of about 50-60 meters. The Israeli Artillery Corps did not adopt the trebuchet.
