Two drones infiltrate Israel in 24 hours, Iron Dome failed to intercept
On Friday, second Hezbollah drone infiltrated Israel for 20 minutes, activated alarms in the north
Two drones slipped into Israeli territory from Lebanon within a 24-hour period.
Alarms sounded in northern Israel on Friday morning following the second drone incident that lasted for about 20 minutes. The drone crossed the border from Lebanon into Israeli airspace and managed to return back, the IDF said in a statement.
Hezbollah claimed it sent the unmanned aerial vehicle named "Hassan."
The drone infiltrated at 11:40 a.m. local time and was under Israeli Air Force surveillance throughout the entire time. The IDF activated the Iron Dome defense system to intercept the drone, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
Two alarms were set off at 11:51 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. to warn northern Israel residents of shrapnel following the interception efforts. Israeli helicopters and fighter jets patrolled the area.
"Despite the enemy's multiple and successive attempts to shoot it down, the Hassan plane returned from the occupied territories safely after it successfully carried out the required mission," Hezbollah said.
The UAV did not carry any explosives and it is unclear if there was a camera on it.
The IDF Spokesperson Unit said that “a radio-controlled aircraft crossed into Israeli airspace from Lebanon. As a result, sirens were sounded and aerial defense systems were activated. After a few minutes, radar contact was lost with the aircraft. The event is under investigation.”
Civilian life returned to routine the same hour, but Israel said that this was the second drone infiltration from Lebanon in 24 hours. On Thursday night, the IDF reported it shot down a Hezbollah drone in the Galilee area.
On Wednesday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech that his organization has been manufacturing drones and precision-guided missiles for years, and boasted about their capabilities.
“We have been producing drones in Lebanon for a long time and whoever wants to buy them, submit an order,” he said.
Tal Heinrich is a senior correspondent for both ALL ISRAEL NEWS and ALL ARAB NEWS. She is currently based in New York City. Tal also provides reports and analysis for Israeli Hebrew media Channel 14 News.
