Patriot missile battery deployed in Carmel region

Defense forces deploy Patriot anti-missile battery near Haifa just two days after unidentified drone penetrated Israel's airspace; IDF did not confirm two incidents are connected

Yoav Zitun|Published: 10.08.12 , 16:03

Just two days after the Israeli Air Force successfully shot down a drone that penetrated Israel's airspace through the Mediterranean Sea, a Patriot missile battery was deployed in the Carmel region in northern Israel.

Sources in the IDF confirmed the deployment of the Patriot battery, but added that it is not an unusual thing.

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The Patriot system can intercept aerial vehicles at a range of 160 km and medium-range ballistic missiles at a range of 60 km.

Meanwhile, defense officials estimate that the drone started its mission in Lebanon and was operated by Hezbollah or possibly Iranian sources. The drone was most likely supposed to gather intelligence and check the IDF's reaction. It is possible it was headed to the Dimona reactor.

A Lebanese TV channel affiliated with Hezbollah reported Sunday that the drone belonged to the Shiite terror group. Iran most likely manufactured the aerial vehicle.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) underlined on Monday that allegations made by Israel about the drone originating from Iran are psychological warfare, Fars news agency reported.

"If the incident is not (part of) psychological warfare, it shows the inefficiency of the Zionist regime's Iron Dome and defense shield," Deputy Coordinator of the IRGC Brigadier General Jamaleddin Aberoumand said on Monday.

Dudi Cohen contributed to this report