Israel drops 'suspicious' item in Lebanon

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BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Israeli fighter jets dropped what witnesses in southern Lebanon described as a suspicious object during an operation Monday.

Security forces in southern Lebanon confirmed reports that an Israeli warplane dropped an unknown object in the region, The Daily Star newspaper reports. It adds that Lebanese security forces in July uncovered a secret Israeli device in the region that was used to spy on Hezbollah communications.

The incident comes amid reports that Israeli officials believe sanctions imposed on Iran are cutting into military assistant for Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. The Daily Star reports that Israeli military leaders maintain that Hezbollah's missile arsenal can reach deep inside Israeli territory, however.

In mid-October, Israeli officials said a drone aircraft was shot down after it flew about 30 miles across the Lebanese border near the West Bank. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah took responsibility for the drone, saying it was a display of his movement's arsenal.

Nasrallah said the drone, made in Iran, flew over nuclear facilities inside Israeli territory. The drone was said to have a range of around 600 miles and could be equipped with weapons.

It was unclear if the object dropped by the Israeli aircraft was related to other security incidents.