IDF reservists used makeshift trebuchet to launch incendiaries in June 2024

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In June 2024, a video surfaced on social media showing a group of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reservists operating a makeshift, medieval-style trebuchet. The soldiers were filmed launching flaming projectiles over a concrete barrier into territory in southern Lebanon. The footage, which was widely discussed, prompted an official response from the IDF, which confirmed the authenticity of the video. The military stated that the use of the device was a 'local initiative' by the reservists involved and was not a sanctioned or standard military tactic. Reports from the time indicated that the soldiers were attempting to ignite dry vegetation and thickets that were allegedly being utilized by Hezbollah fighters for concealment along the border. While the video has recently resurfaced in the context of broader discussions regarding wildfires in southern Lebanon, there is no evidence linking this specific incident to recent 2026 military operations. The trebuchet was an anomaly compared to standard incendiary methods, such as the use of white phosphorus or aerial flares, which have been documented by international observers throughout the ongoing conflict.