Israel Fires Missile, Scrambles Aircraft after Drone Crosses from Lebanon

Israel said Friday that it fired an anti-aircraft missile and scrambled warplanes and military helicopters after a small drone crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

In an English-language tweet, the Israeli army described the drone as a “radio-controlled aircraft.”

“Sirens were sounded & aerial defense systems were activated. After a few minutes, radar contact was lost with the aircraft,” the Israeli army added.

“The event is under investigation & civilian life has returned to routine,” it said.

It later announced that the drone managed to return to Lebanon “after a few minutes.”

Al-Jazeera TV quoted the Israeli army as saying that the drone was not armed and that "it seems that Hizbullah sent it to gather information," as other reports said that the drone might have returned unscathed to Lebanon.

The incident comes hours after Israel's army said Thursday it had shot down a drone sent by Lebanon's Hizbullah that entered Israeli airspace.

Israel has long expressed concerns that Hizbullah would obtain or develop guided missiles and attack drones.

Earlier this week, Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said his group has been manufacturing military drones in Lebanon, and has the technology to turn thousands of missiles in its possession into precision-guided munitions.