From the Liveblog of
Thursday, December 25, 2025
IAF helicopter intercepts two drones during smuggling attempt from Egypt
Stav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel
An Israeli Air Force helicopter intercepted two drones during a smuggling attempt from Egypt into Israeli airspace a short while ago, the IDF says, releasing footage of the incident.
According to the military, IDF surveillance units and the air force’s aerial control center identified two drones crossing “from the west” toward Israeli territory. The aircraft was dispatched in coordination with 80th “Edom” Division and shot down the drones as they entered Israeli airspace.
A senior air force official says the interception reflects a broader shift in Israel’s border-defense approach.
“As part of a deep change in our border-defense doctrine, the air force has established control centers operating under the regional divisions, significantly improving detection capabilities and the direction of forces against low-altitude aerial threats,” the official says.
The official adds that the interception marks the first operation of its kind.
“We continue to enhance cooperation and operational capabilities to thwart infiltrations along the border,” the official says.
תיעוד מיוחד: מסוק קרב יירט שני רחפנים בעת ניסיון חדירה לשטח הארץ מהגבול המערבי
תצפיות צה"ל ומרכז הבקרה האווירית זיהו לפני זמן קצר, שני רחפנים שחצו ממערב לשטח מדינת ישראל בניסיון לחדור לשטח הארץ.
לאחר הזיהוי, מסוק קרב של חיל האוויר בשיתוף אוגדה 80 יירט את שני הרחפנים ברגע כניסתם… pic.twitter.com/guBC0UOkJh
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 25, 2025
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