Sirens blare in north as Israeli military accidentally fires at own drone
IDF says Iron Dome interceptors shot at aircraft after misidentification; situation back to normal
Rocket alert sirens were activated Thursday morning in Israel’s Upper Galilee region along the border with Lebanon, after troops accidentally identified an Israeli drone as a possible enemy aircraft.
The sirens sent residents of the north scrambling, fearing a potential rocket attack.
The military said Iron Dome interceptors were fired at the drone, but did not say whether the craft was destroyed. Hebrew media reports indicated it was not.
After admitting the mistake, the army said the situation had returned to normal in the region’s communities.
Footage circulated online appeared to show streaks from an interceptor missile.
Last month a rocket fired at northern Israel from Lebanon landed in an open area near Kibbutz Matzuva, close to the border, without causing damage or injuries. In response the military struck targets in Lebanon with dozens of artillery shells, and IDF spokesperson Ran Kochav said Palestinian factions in Lebanon were believed responsible.
Explosions reportedly heard in the area. Photo said to be of a possible interception. pic.twitter.com/izdlvaknfq
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) May 19, 2022
There have been several instances of rocket fire from Lebanon into Israel in recent years, with most blamed on Palestinian factions in the country, not the Hezbollah terror group.
However, it is unlikely that terrorists in southern Lebanon would be able to fire rockets without at least the tacit approval of the Iran-backed terror group, which maintains tight control over the area.
