An enemy Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), apparently laden with explosives, was shot down by the IDF near the port city of Ashdod Monday morning. The interception caused a strong explosion to rock Ashdod and triggered air raid sirens at around 6:30 a.m..Hamas television in Gaza reports that the organization’s armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, is launching multiple unmanned aerial drones into Israel. The UAVs reached as much as 60 kilometers into Israel, the report claims. “Details to follow,” it promises. There is no confirmation from Israeli sources as to whether multiple Hamas UAVs are hovering in Israel’s skies. The report follows an announcement earlier this morning that Hamas is planning a “surprise” for Israel. Hamas did launch a UAV into Israel earlier Monday, which was shot down by an IDF Patriot missile over Ashdod. A blurry video has appeared online purporting to show the UAV entering Israeli airspace. Some commentators have suggested the video actually shows a helicopter.
The IDF declares an area north of the Gaza Strip a closed military zone. Speculation is circulating on the significance of the move, which may indicate that ground forces are preparing for battle. One Israeli news site, NRG, suggests that the move is connected to the downing of a Hamas UAV earlier in the day. The IDF is continuing to build up ground forces on the Gaza border, but no decision has been made by the cabinet — as far as Israeli media outlets know — to enter Gaza with significant ground forces.
