The Israeli Air Force said it successfully targeted and destroyed a launch team preparing to fire Shahed-136 long-range one-way attack drones toward Israel, preventing a direct attack in what the military described as a rapid and precise operation.
In a statement released today, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that aerial surveillance tracked the movement of an Iranian-backed launch cell over the past several days. According to the IDF, the team had been setting up to launch four Shahed-136 long-range one-way attack drones when they were eliminated.
“In recent days, Israeli Air Force aircraft monitored the launch team, identified the operators as they deployed the Shahed UAV launchers and associated weaponry in the field,” the Air Force said in a statement. It added, “With a rapid closing of the loop, the launch team was eliminated and the launchers destroyed just minutes before they could carry out the strike toward Israeli territory.”
The Air Force also released footage showing the moment of impact as the launchers were struck, with the drones still visibly mounted in a launch-ready configuration.
Shahed-136 drones, produced by Iran and frequently used by proxy forces in the region, have been deployed in previous attacks on Israeli and Western targets. The long-range UAVs are known for their one-way attack function, allowing them to carry explosive warheads over extended distances before detonating on impact.
The IDF has increased surveillance and strike operations over suspected launch zones as part of a broader effort to preempt drone and missile attacks amid heightened tensions with Iran and its allied networks.
The Israeli military emphasized that the success of the latest operation demonstrates its continued ability to detect, monitor, and neutralize emerging aerial threats in real time.