Israel’s Iron Dome Downed Own Drone During Fighting
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shot down one of their own drones during the 11-day conflict with Gaza-based militant groups, the service confirmed Tuesday.
The incident took place when air force personnel operating the Iron Dome air defense system mistook the drone for a hostile aircraft, Haaretz wrote.
The downed aircraft has been identified as a Skylark operated by the IDF Sky Rider unit that carries out observation and intelligence gathering missions, the paper added.
An investigation has been ordered.
Another ‘Malfunction’
The incident has reportedly sent “shock waves” through the service because the IDF’s combat plan is based “on multi-dimensional fighting with close coordination between land, air and sea forces.”
Meanwhile, an Iron Dome battery reportedly malfunctioned during a barrage of militant-fired rockets on Ashkelon, resulting in the failure to intercept some rockets.
The technical snag, the Times of Israel reported, may have been “responsible for the casualties and deaths in the city.”
Day and night, Iron Dome Aerial Defense System operators work hard to keep the State of Israel safe.
They want to wish you Shabbat Shalom! pic.twitter.com/hPw9dOn6rG
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 21, 2021
Iron Dome Intercepted 90 Percent of Missiles
The Atlantic magazine wrote that Gaza-based Hamas and Islamic Jihad fired 4,369 rockets into Israel during the conflict. Two-thirds reportedly missed their targets, “hitting fields and other open areas, or malfunctioning and falling short.”
The monthly further reported that the air defense system, which was jointly developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, managed to intercept around 90 percent of the 1,500 rockets that were heading for “built-up areas.”
At least 243 people, including more than 100 women and children, were killed in Gaza during the conflict according to the health ministry. A total of 12 people were killed In Israel, including two children.
