IDF helicopter in Gaza – threat is growing
Photo: Reuters
Gaza: IDF chopper hit by bullet
Senior Air Force official tells Ynet threat on Israeli helicopters in Gaza Strip growing
Terror groups in Gaza getting closer to downing Israeli choppers: An IDF helicopter on operational duty in the Gaza Strip Friday was hit by a bullet, the army said. The chopper landed safely at an Air Force base. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The army said the helicopter was apparently hit by a machinegun bullet, but fortunately the section of the chopper hit by the bullet was not a sensitive one. The Air Force is looking into the incident.
Meanwhile, a senior Air Force official told Ynet that the threat on Israeli helicopters has been growing.
"The threat is growing every day," the official said. "Terror organizations have great motivation to hit Air Force aircraft, and helicopters are naturally a major target because they fly at a relatively low altitude."
'Lebanon experience utilized in Gaza'
The officer refused to say whether IDF helicopters were recently hit, particularly during operation "Warn Winter" In the Strip. He did say that all aircraft returned to their bases safely.
"The weapons pouring into the Gaza Strip serve to increase the threat and this is certainly a disturbing issue," the Air Force official said. "We are doing a lot in order to minimize the risk." The senior officer denied Palestinian reports claiming that during the operation the Air Force refrained from dispatching helicopters on a mission in the Strip due to a concrete threat.
The official also told Ynet that the experience gained during the Second Lebanon War has contributed to Air Force operations in the Strip.
"Chopper activity in the Strip is very dominant and we see very good cooperation with ground forces," he said. "This is an inseparable part of the battle. In order to protect them from threats we adopt various methods."
According to the senior officer, there have been several cases recently of machinegun fire directed at helicopters. However, the Air Force works on the assumption that terror groups also possess more advanced anti-aircraft systems, he said.
