An Israeli Apache helicopter attempted but failed to intercept a drone from Lebanon that entered Israeli airspace and reached Caesarea, where it struck near the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the drone was one of three launched from Lebanon, with the other two being successfully intercepted and destroyed.
Footage circulating on social media shows the AH-64 Apache helicopter in pursuit of the hostile drone over Akko, in northwestern Israel. Despite the helicopter’s efforts, the drone evaded intercept and continued its flight path, ultimately striking a structure in Caesarea. No injuries were reported, but the incident has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of Israel’s air defense measures.
Following the strike, alarms were triggered at the Glilot base near Herzliya, a joint facility used by Israel’s intelligence service, Mossad, and military cyber intelligence units. In response, the Israeli military stated that there was no possibility of further drone infiltrations at that time, despite initial concerns.
An AH-64 “Apache” Attack Helicopter with the Israeli Air Force seen in Pursuit of a Hostile Drone earlier over the City of Acre in Northwestern Israel. pic.twitter.com/s1yAiN5axD
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 19, 2024
The Israeli police confirmed that security forces were deployed heavily around Caesarea following the impact. They conducted thorough searches of the area for potential explosive remnants, while access roads near Netanyahu’s residence were closed as a precaution. Security barriers and guard posts were established around the prime minister’s residence, with emergency services on standby.
One of the drones involved, identified as a Sayyad 107, has been linked to Hezbollah. According to Israeli security sources, the drone’s small size and low radar signature make it particularly difficult to detect. The Sayyad 107 can change altitude and direction frequently, making interception challenging. This type of drone was also reportedly involved in a previous attack on a Golani Brigade training base in Binyamina, south of Haifa.