Israel's latest drone attack on a Hezbollah vehicle on the Syrian border with Lebanon April 15 is a reminder that Israel continues to pursue a low-scale deterrent strategy against the militant group, with an eye toward its permanent strategic goals in Lebanon. 

A civilian vehicle belonging to Hezbollah fighters was destroyed last Wednesday on the Syrian side of the Jdeidet Yabrous border post, on the border with Lebanon. Israel did not immediately comment, which is typical, since it rarely confirms individual attacks on Iranian interests in Syria or Lebanon.

The attack was caught on video and clearly shows the militants exiting a Jeep Cherokee after an apparent missed first strike. The fighters had enough time to go back to the vehicle and pick up their luggage before the second strike blew up the jeep. The official Syrian news agency Sana reported that a "civilian car" had been targeted, causing only material damage.

A source close to Hezbollah told Al-Monitor that the group has limited its transfer of fighters to Syria because of the coronavirus pandemic. This would mean that the militants targeted were higher ranking and perhaps tasked with a specific military mission. Lebanon closed its borders with Syria in March over coronavirus concerns, but diplomats and military personnel can still pass.