Iron Dome activated to intercept Gaza drone

Israel's Air Force followed its route and used the Iron Dome to intercept the drone, which was reportedly not a threat to Israeli citizens at any point.

 The Iron Dome air defense missile systems is seen during operational trials conducted following the conclusion Operation Shield and Arrow on May 14, 2023 (photo credit: DEFENSE MINISTRY)
The Iron Dome air defense missile systems is seen during operational trials conducted following the conclusion Operation Shield and Arrow on May 14, 2023
(photo credit: DEFENSE MINISTRY)

Israel's Iron Dome was activated near the Gaza border on Sunday morning in response to a drone heading toward Israel from Gaza, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.

Israel's Air Force followed its route and used the Iron Dome to intercept the drone, which according to the IDF did not pose a threat to Israeli citizens near the Gaza border and therefore did not trigger any national alerts. 

Drone activity in the area of the Gaza Strip

Hamas's military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, claimed last week that it had seized an Israeli "Orbiter" drone in the Gaza Strip, after Palestinian media claimed an Israeli drone fell in the Strip on Monday.

Though at first, the expected culprit drone was thought to be from the IDF, as Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank as well as Hezbollah in Lebanon have downed quite a few IDF drones, the IDF immediately categorically denied the drone was one of its own. 

IDF shoots down drone over Gaza Strip. August 20, 2023(Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

It was unclear how often this has happened in the past or whether the agency would need to publicly address the issue as the IDF frequently does, with assurances that no secrets were given up.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.