Israel military says it has shot down drone along southern coastline

[bemildred]

Israel's military said Monday that it had downed a drone along its southern coastline, marking the first time it had encountered such a weapon in its week-long campaign against Islamic militants in the Gaza Strip.

The drone came from Gaza and was shot down by a Patriot surface-to-air missile near the southern city of Ashdod, the military said. It did not say what the drone was carrying and there was no immediate confirmation from Gaza on the use of unmanned aircraft.

However, the use of drones with an offensive capacity could potentially inflict significant casualties -- something the rockets from Gaza have failed to do, largely because of the success of the military's 'Iron Dome' air defense system in shooting them down.

In addition to the drone, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) says that militants have launched 971 rockets at Israeli cities in the six days since Israel launched "Operation Protective Edge," a bid to halt such attacks. No Israeli fatalities have been reported, though a teenage boy was seriously injured by rocket shrapnel in the town of Ashkelon on Sunday.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/07/14/israel-military-says-it-has-shot-down-drone-along-southern-coastline/

[bemildred]

1. Hamas claims responsibility for drone shot down by Israel

GAZA CITY

The Ezzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, claimed responsibility for a drone that was shot down by the Israeli army earlier Monday over the coastal city of Ashdod.

In a brief statement, the brigades said it managed to "launch drones in the Israeli airspace."

The group said it launched the drone to carry out “special missions" in Israel, giving no further details.

The Israeli army on Monday said it shot down a Hamas drone over Ashdod.

http://www.aa.com.tr/en/rss/358455--hamas-claims-responsibility-for-drone-shot-down-by-israel

[Jefferson23]

2. How many drones Hamas has, I don't know of anyone who reports knowing that answer.

Israel sees future drone threat from Hezbollah, Hamas

IAF officials say guerrilla terror organizations in Lebanon, Gaza could deploy drones carrying explosives and designed to crash into targets.

Reuters
Published: 03.11.14, 08:33 / Israel News

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4497492,00.html

I hate those damn things.

[bemildred]

3. The word "drone" covers a wide variety of things, little ones, big ones.

It does seem to me that they could have uses as terror weapons, but I don't really see that it changes the situation much, delivery methods are already not much of a problem.

Before we invaded Iraq there was much talk of Saddam's little robot planes that would devastate Tel Aviv with biological weapons. I say it's not that easy.

[Jefferson23]

4. Not that easy...I hope it stays that way. n/t

[Jefferson23]

5. In midst of IDF operation, government delaying payments to defense firms

Prime Minister Netanyahu's government praises Iron Dome, Israeli UAVs – while carrying nearly $250 million in debt.

Even as senior government and security officials laud the performance of the Iron Dome missile defense system and other fighting measures supplied to the IDF by various defense contractors, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has been falling behind on their payment.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4543252,00.html

[bemildred]

6. I was wondering when money was going to come up. nt

[Jefferson23]

7. Hamas: Our drones have collected intel over Kirya Military HQ in Tel Aviv

After IDF shoots down drone over Ashdod, Hamas says it sent several drones into Israel which have surveillance and offensive capabilities.

Hamas took responsibility for sending the drone that was shot down by the IDF over the Ashdod area on Monday, claiming that they had in fact sent three "Ababil 1" model UAVs into Israel.

Ma'an News Agency quoted a statement by Hamas's Kassam Brigades as saying that engineers in Gaza had the capability to manufacture three types of the Ababil drones that are capable of carrying out reconnaissance missions, bombing missions and suicide missions.

http://www.jpost.com/Operation-Protective-Edge/Hamas-Our-drones-have-collected-intel-over-Kirya-Military-HQ-in-Tel-Aviv-362705

[bemildred]

8. LOL. Suicide drones. nt

[Jefferson23]

9. I had a hunch that one would crack you up. n/t

[bemildred]

10. Good guess. nt

[Scootaloo]

11. Someone's gonna be pissed that their Amazon order just got blown up. n/t