WATCH: Drone tested trying to intercept incendiary balloon
New GOC Southern Command Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Gaza Division Commander Brig. Gen. Yehuda Fuchs watch test of Israeli drone attempting to shoot down balloons.
The new GOC Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi, and Gaza Division Commander Brig. Gen. Yehuda Fuchs, arrived at the strip's border on Friday to watch a test of a drone trying to shoot down incendiary balloons, which have been starting numerous fires in Israel.
The two commanders met with representatives of the Israeli company that operates the interceptor drones and watched the demonstration.
Later, Halevi and Fuchs met with Fire Department officials who showed them the newest measures being used to battle the fires caused by the incendiary balloons, including fire extinguishers and water hoses so strong they can immediately put out blazes.
"The balloons terrorism is a persistent struggle that has been going on for a long time. There's no doubt this threat has been keeping the IDF busy, from the senior command to the last soldier," said a security official on the Gaza border.
"We have complete confidence in the IDF, which knows how to handle the threat and restore calm to the border area. The incendiary balloons phenomenon is unacceptable to anyone," he added.
The IDF has already started using drones to intercept balloons, but the threat remains. Israelis living in communities near the Gaza border have been dealing with dozens of fires every day. On Friday, at least 15 fires broke out, which have all since been put out.
