Israel Fires Missile at Drone that Entered from Syria

VOA
12 Jul 2018, 02:05 GMT+10

JERUSALEM - Israel launched a Patriot missile at an unmanned aircraft that entered its territory from Syria on Wednesday, the military said, warning it will not tolerate airspace infiltrations that have occurred several times over the past year.

The military said the missile intercepted the aircraft 'that infiltrated the Israeli border from Syria.' It did not elaborate but warned that it 'will not allow any violation of Israeli airspace and will act against any attempt to hurt its civilians.'

There were no reports of injuries or damage.

Israeli police issued a rare request for boats in the Sea of Galilee to sail back to shore 'due to security operations taking place in the area.'

It was not immediately clear who launched the drone. There was a similar incident a month ago and in February Israel shot down what it said was an Iranian drone that entered its airspace. It bombed Iranian targets in Syria in response.

Wednesday's incident came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Moscow for talks on Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad in the Syrian civil war.

Israel has largely stayed out of the fighting in Syria. But it has carried out dozens of airstrikes on alleged arms shipments bound for the militant group Hezbollah.

Israel has warned Iran, which is allied with the Syrian government, against building up a military presence on its doorstep.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Israel Herald.

More Information

21 ℃

Jerusalem

International

Section

UNHRC wants Myanmar military leaders on genocide charges

GENEVA, Switzerland – The independent, international body investigating violence and atrocities against the Rohingya in Myanmar has called for the sacking ...

Russia blames 'tragic chance events' for Syria plane downing

MOSCOW, Russia - After accusing Israel of indirectly causing the downing of a Russian military plane near Syria, the Russian ...

China responds to Trump's new tariffs with its own duties

BEIJING, China - Worries among businesses in the U.S. and China intensified further this week, after both the countries exchanged ...

Russia, Turkey enforce demilitarized zone in Syria's Idlib

MOSCOW, Russia - Supporting the Syrian President Bashar al Assad in his fight against rebels, Russia, along with the Government ...

Kavanaugh accuser goes public, confirmation process at risk

WASHINGTON. U.S. - A week after allegations of sexual assault against the U.S. President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Brett ...

King of Storms lashes China, kills 64 in the Philippines

GUANGDONG, China - The Super Typhoon Mangkhut, dubbed the 'King of Storms' is tearing through Southeast Asia - viciously destroying ...

Business

Section

Movie Review

Canoa: A Shameful Memory [Blu-ray]

Featured story

Ireland's Keywords Studios acquires Canada's Snowed In

DUBLIN, Ireland - Following its successful acquisition of Hollywood-based Blindlight, Irish video-gaming company Keywords Studios has now announced its latest accomplishment. Keywords r ...