Israel uses antelopes against Hezbollah

Last year we reported that small squads of Israeli commandos use llamas to carry equipment and gear on missions in the mountains of south Lebanon, deep behind Hezbollah lines. The llamas do not make noise as jeeps do, and can easily negotiate the most treacherous cliffs. The only problem is that the llamas are short-tempered, and when they become irritated they drench their handlers with malodorous spit.

Llamas are not the only animal on which soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) rely. During the recent clash between Israel and Hamas, there were fears in Israel that Hezbollah may move against Israel. In anticipation, the IDF resorted to using antelopes to fight the Shi’ia movement. The animals have been deployed to the northern borders of Israel to clear the foliage which the military fears could function as cover Hezbollah fighters, the daily Haaretz reported. Antelopes are known for their ability to eat large quantities of vegetations. “The animals were first brought to Israel more than 30 years ago as part of a project to raise them at local zoos before sending them to Europe,” Haaretz added.