The IDF fired a Patriot missile from the Safed area in the Golan Heights on Tuesday to intercept an Iranian-made Hezbollah intelligence collection drone trying to infiltrate Israel's airspace from Syria.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



The drone "took off from the Damascus Airport towards the Golan and operated in the buffer zone, without infiltrating Israel," IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis said.

The IDF scrambled fighter jets and fired one Patriot missile, shooting the drone down with the missile, Manelis added.

Patriot fired over Golan Heights (Photo: Yoni Lobliner)

The drone fell near the town of el-Hmidaiah in the Qunaitra area.

"The IDF will not allow the infiltration of Iranian elements, Hezbollah, Shiite militias or global Jihad to the Golan Heights. We will respond and react immediately to any such attempt," the IDF spokesman concluded.

Following the incident, the Northern Command has been put on high alert.

Patriot fired over Safed (צילום: יוני לובלינר)

X

Defense Minister Avigor Lieberman praised the IDF for the quick work in dispatching the drone. "I want to note the high-level of preparedness of the IDF, which knows how to deal with every surprise, every problem and every threat," Lieberman said during a visit to the Elbit Systems factory in Arad. "I want to note the high-level of preparedness of the IDF, which knows how to deal with every surprise, every problem and every threat," Lieberman said during a visit to the Elbit Systems factory in Arad. "As I've said before: We have no intention of tolerating any threat and any attempt at harming the security of the State of Israel. Anyone who tries to hurt our sovereignty or our security should know he will pay a very steep price for it. We're ready for any scenario on any front," he added. "As I've said before: We have no intention of tolerating any threat and any attempt at harming the security of the State of Israel. Anyone who tries to hurt our sovereignty or our security should know he will pay a very steep price for it. We're ready for any scenario on any front," he added.

Israel has used Patriot missiles to intercept drones coming from Syria several times in the past, including in April 2017 and July 2016

In September 2014 , the IDF shot down a Syrian fighter jet with the Patriot anti-ballistic system. It was the first time in over 30 years a Syrian jet has entered Israel's airspace, and the IDF estimated at the time the jet had crossed into Israel by accident en route to attacking rebel positions in the Golan Heights.