IDF: Drone crashes in Gaza due to technical failure
Palestinians claim to have shot down UAV in open area of northern Gaza Strip, Ma'an reports.
By YAAKOV LAPPINSEC.-LT. ITZIK COHEN holds a Sky Rider drone before takeoff (photo credit: YAAKOV LAPPIN)
An IDF drone operated by the army’s Artillery Corps crashed in the Gaza Strip on Sunday.The Sky Rider drone crashed due to a technical failure, an IDF official said.The drone is the only one not operated by the Israel Air Force but rather by a Ground Forces unit.The IDF us investigating the incident.Palestinians claimed responsibility for the downing of the drone on Sunday afternoon, Ma’an news agency reported on Sunday.Ma’an quoted sources in Gaza who said they shot down the drone in an open area in the northern Gaza Strip. The IDF official denied the Palestinian claim.The Sky Rider is relatively new, having officially entered into operation in 2010. Due to its small size, the Sky Rider drone does not require a takeoff or landing strip.Cameras on board the drone include one that provides thermal imaging, allowing nighttime observation.
Sky Rider is playing an increasing role in counterterror raids in the West Bank, sending down images of villages as arrests occur. Its video images have been used to conduct surveillance of rioters and later help prosecute them in court.Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.
