The IAF has downed more than 90% of the drones launched at Israel by Iran and its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, since the commencement of Operation Roaring Lion late last month, the IDF said on Friday.
“The Israeli air force continues to remove threats to Israeli citizens and degrade the capabilities of the Iranian regime and the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” the military said.
The announcement comes amid reports that the US can only confirm the destruction of around a third of Iran's drone fleet, as well as an IDF report of 600 Hezbollah attacks within a 24-hour period.
The IDF uses several means to intercept enemy drones, ranging from air defenses like Iron Dome to attack helicopters.
In one instance, a Hezbollah drone was intercepted by members of a western Galilee emergency standby squad, who shot down the UAV using small arms.
Despite the recent deployment of several Iron Beam units, the high-energy laser air defense system has yet to significantly affect drone intrusions.
Iranian drone attacks on Gulf states
Meanwhile, Gulf states have suffered from approximately 5,000 missile and drone attacks on energy facilities, civilian infrastructure, and maritime traffic, according to Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary‑General Jasem Al-Budaiwi.
Al-Budaiwi said the Gulf had been exercising restraint but would not accept further targeting by Iran, saying that the regime had "crossed all limits."
The United Arab Emirates and Qatar are in talks with Ukraine for security arrangements with a focus on drone defense, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Discussions had additionally been held between Ukraine and Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, and Oman, said Sybiha.
Sybiha stated that the talks with the UAE and Qatar are more advanced due to their suffering the most from Iran's strikes.
Gulf Arab countries have used more than 800 Patriot missiles since the war started to defend themselves, said Sybiha, so they now wish to learn from Ukraine's experience in shooting down Russian drones and missiles.