illustrative image.
Update: IDF says a preliminary investigation shows that the Iron Dome failed to intercept the drone that entered Israeli airspace from Lebanon, and it shortly thereafter returned to Lebanon.
———-
On February 18, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had lost track of an unidentified drone that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli airspace.
Several Iron Dome interceptors were fired at the drone. Warning sirens were heard in many towns in northern Israel. Fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force were also scrambled to track and intercept the drone. Despite all of this, the IDF lost track of the drone.
“A short time ago, a radio-controlled aircraft crossed into Israel from Lebanon. Sirens were sounded & aerial defense systems were activated. After a few minutes, radar contact was lost with the aircraft. The event is under investigation & civilian life has returned to routine,” the IDF said in a statement.
Israeli media sources speculated that the drone was launched by Hezbollah. The Lebanese group is yet to confirm or deny these claims.
Low flying IAF jets reportedly seen over northern Israel amid the Red Alerts. pic.twitter.com/Hczymx0OEO
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 18, 2022
Hezbollah operates drones along the separation line between Lebanon and Israel on a regular basis. Just a day earlier, the IDF shot down a small drone that was launched by the group near the line.
In a recent speech, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah boasted about his group’s ability to manufacture drones in Lebanon. The leader also warned Israel against conducting any special operations inside Lebanon to search for advanced weapons.
