כיכר השבת

Israeli Helicopter Downs Two Drones Over Western Border

An Israeli Air Force attack helicopter intercepted and shot down two drones that attempted to infiltrate Israeli airspace from Egypt on Wednesday evening, marking the first time such an interception has been carried out by a combat helicopter, military officials said. According to the IDF, observation units and the Air Control Center detected two drones crossing from the west—originating in Egyptian territory—toward Israel. Upon identification, forces from the Southern Command, in coordination with Division 80, scrambled an Israeli Air Force attack helicopter, which intercepted both drones immediately upon their entry into Israeli airspace. A senior Israeli Air Force official said the incident reflects growing operational coordination along the border. “Air control unit soldiers identified several drones in the border area, alerted regional forces, and directed a combat helicopter that, for the first time, successfully intercepted two drones,” the official said. “We continue to improve cooperation and operational capabilities to thwart smuggling and aerial threats along the border.”