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Near-miss: Must have said tfilat haderech

Israeli civilian aircraft nearly shot down due to unauthorized takeoff 

The plane triggered a military response; air defense systems activated in central Israel region.

Aircraft control tower in Ben Gurion Airport
Aircraft control tower in Ben Gurion Airport ( Photo: Moshe Shai/Flash90)

A dramatic near-miss took place this afternoon (Saturday) when Israeli air defenses activated against what was initially thought to be a hostile aircraft, triggering sirens across central Israel.

The target was later identified as a civilian Israeli plane operating without proper clearance. Military interceptors were already mobilized and, after failed attempts to establish communication, were ready to engage.

According to I24 News, only last-second visual identification through interceptor cameras prevented the aircraft's destruction.

* Arutz 7 contributed to this article.

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