Iron Dome Intercepts Drone Flying Over Gaza

The Iron Dome was activated on Wednesday after a drone was spotted flying in the skies over Gaza.

Initially, there were conflicting reports over whether the unmanned aerial vehicle was immediately shot down or not.

However, in a subsequent press release, the IDF confirmed that its air defense units intercepted the drone. The aircraft belonged to Hamas, and did not cross into Israeli airspace or pose a threat to Israeli communities around the Gaza Strip, the IDF said.

Israeli fighter jets were also spotted patrolling the air near the scene. The air raid siren used by the IDF to alert citizens of incoming threats was not activated.

The Iron Dome is an Israeli surface-to-air missile battery system used to intercept rockets, drones and other projectiles. It was pioneered to defend Israeli populations centers from attacks originating in the Gaza Strip, and from Lebanon and Syria to Israel’s north.