Lebanon bans drones during Ashura commemorations following Israeli attack

Lebanon said on Sunday it will ban drones over Shia areas during commemorations for Ashura, following tensions with Israel over an alleged drone attack last week.

Shia militant group Hezbollah has vowed that Israel "must pay a price" for what it says was a drone strike on one of its strongholds, the southern suburbs of Beirut.

"The army's command warns all citizens against the use of drones throughout the duration of Ashura commemorations in the following areas: the southern suburbs of Beirut, Nabatieh, Sour, Baalbek-Hermel," it said in a statement. 

Ashura, one of the holiest days in Shia Islam, commemorates the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein.

Lebanon is expected to mark Ashura itself on September 10, but the days leading up to it feature multiple processions and religious gatherings.

This year's commemoration comes amid soaring tensions with neighbouring Israel, which is accused of flying two explosive-laden drones over the capital's southern suburbs on August 25.

Hezbollah said the pre-dawn drone attack "hit a specific area," without elaborating on the nature of the target.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Saturday his group's response to the incident had been "decided".

"The need for a response is decided," he said during a televised speech, adding it was about "establishing the rules of engagement and... the logic of protection for the country".

Israel "must pay a price", he said.

He vowed to retaliate "at all costs" and target Israeli drones, which often operate in Lebanese airspace.

In a rare incident on Wednesday, the Lebanese army opened fire on Israeli drones that had violated Lebanon's airspace, forcing the aircraft to return across the border.

On Saturday, Israel fired flares over several areas close to the border, one of which landed in a base run by an Indian battalion of UN peacekeepers, according to the UN and the Lebanese army.

Israel and Hezbollah have fought several wars, the most recent a 33-day conflict in 2006, which killed 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.