The explosive drone with four engines that fell in the settlement of Yitzhar is the second drone launched in the same area within a short period—indicating an improvement in the learning curve and the technical capabilities of the terrorists in Judea and Samaria.
During the Swords of Iron war, both Hamas and Hezbollah extensively used explosive and suicide drones. Previous attempts to drop explosive devices such as grenades or RPG bombs from drones in conflicts between Israel and Hamas had failed. However, as seen in the October 7, 2023, attack, Hamas achieved tactical success by neutralizing the cameras and other systems along the Gaza border—primarily using explosive and suicide drones.
Drones belong to the family of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). They typically have four engines (quadcopters) or more—some carrying six to eight engines—and are capable of carrying improvised explosive devices or standard munitions. These drones can be directed at a target, hover above it, and drop their payload with high precision, causing damage and forcing combat forces to shift from offensive to defensive mode.
Drones have several advantages, including low production costs, availability, ease of manufacturing and operation, stealth capabilities (due to radar-absorbing construction materials and flexible flight profiles), and the potential for integrating various technological enhancements. However, the time a drone can stay in the air is limited by the energy source of its engine and the communication range with the operator.
Due to their low costs and operational simplicity, there is growing concern that terrorists in Judea and Samaria will increase the use of drone swarms to attack civilian or military infrastructure in Israel. The discovery of the explosive drone in Yitzhar serves as a wake-up call for the security establishment and demands urgent attention. It is crucial to learn from past mistakes, such as the initial dismissal of Hamas’s Qassam rockets as mere “flying pipes” by official spokespeople—an underestimation that later allowed them to evolve into a strategic threat against Israeli cities and infrastructure.
This development should raise concern; but, more importantly, it requires attention and creative thinking to counter and neutralize this emerging threat on a new front—something that is both achievable and within our reach!
The explosive drone with four engines that fell in the settlement of Yitzhar is the second drone launched in the same area within a short period—indicating an improvement in the learning curve and the technical capabilities of the terrorists in Judea and Samaria.
During the Swords of Iron war, both Hamas and Hezbollah extensively used explosive and suicide drones. Previous attempts to drop explosive devices such as grenades or RPG bombs from drones in conflicts between Israel and Hamas had failed. However, as seen in the October 7, 2023, attack, Hamas achieved tactical success by neutralizing the cameras and other systems along the Gaza border—primarily using explosive and suicide drones.
Drones belong to the family of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). They typically have four engines (quadcopters) or more—some carrying six to eight engines—and are capable of carrying improvised explosive devices or standard munitions. These drones can be directed at a target, hover above it, and drop their payload with high precision, causing damage and forcing combat forces to shift from offensive to defensive mode.
Drones have several advantages, including low production costs, availability, ease of manufacturing and operation, stealth capabilities (due to radar-absorbing construction materials and flexible flight profiles), and the potential for integrating various technological enhancements. However, the time a drone can stay in the air is limited by the energy source of its engine and the communication range with the operator.
Due to their low costs and operational simplicity, there is growing concern that terrorists in Judea and Samaria will increase the use of drone swarms to attack civilian or military infrastructure in Israel. The discovery of the explosive drone in Yitzhar serves as a wake-up call for the security establishment and demands urgent attention. It is crucial to learn from past mistakes, such as the initial dismissal of Hamas’s Qassam rockets as mere “flying pipes” by official spokespeople—an underestimation that later allowed them to evolve into a strategic threat against Israeli cities and infrastructure.
This development should raise concern; but, more importantly, it requires attention and creative thinking to counter and neutralize this emerging threat on a new front—something that is both achievable and within our reach!