Katz moves to ban a fiber-optic, SIM-operated drones from Israeli airspace amid growing threats
Among the varied threats mentioned were drone attacks, attempts to harm senior officials, usage of the drones by organized crime families, smuggling, and illicitly gathering intelligence.
Defense Minister Israel Katz intends to sign an order banning fiber-optic and SIM-controlled drones from Israeli airspace, according to a statement released on Tuesday by Katz's office. The aim of the ban is to mitigate security threats, which include drone attacks on senior officials, misuse by criminal organizations, illicit smuggling, and unauthorized intelligence gathering.
The six-month ban was pre-approved by both Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a cabinet meeting. Notably, the order does allow for the continued operation of security force drones, fiber-optic drones connected to the ground, SIM-controlled drones with prior authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority, and any drones that are not fiber-optic or SIM-operated.
On the same day, the news outlet Walla reported that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Ground Forces Commander, Maj.-Gen. Nadav Lotan, is spearheading the development of a specialized unit aimed at countering low-altitude drone threats. The unit will initially comprise five battalions, already tasked with safeguarding Israel's borders with Jordan, Egypt, and the West Bank security barrier.
These battalions will be given the added responsibility of protecting against mobile threats operating in the airspace near the ground.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
