The twitter account @IsraelBreaking reports:
A Patriot Battery is what destroyed the Gaza drone near Ashdod.
— Israel Breaking (@IsraelBreaking) July 14, 2014
40 Minutes ago an "interception" was reported over Ashdod. This in-fact was not a rocket, but an un-manned drone that was intercepted.
— Israel Breaking (@IsraelBreaking) July 14, 2014
JUST IN: Gaza Drone packed with explosives was intercepted by IDF over an area near city of Ashdod.
— Israel Breaking (@IsraelBreaking) July 14, 2014
Rocket sirens in Eshkol. Will update if any damage/injuries occur.
— Israel Breaking (@IsraelBreaking) July 14, 2014
Mind you, that’s not an official IDF account, but they’ve been pretty spot on recently.
Asdod is a seaside port on the Mediterranean coast, about 20 miles north of Gaza. I’d sure like some more information on the drone itself- its size and level of sophistication. That would give a good indication of whether it was homemade, or imported from…. say… the Iranians.
A Patriot on a drone? Something is not quite right. I could see firing a land based Phalanx but a missile that is designed for much more and costs 2 to 3 million dollars a shot. Makes me question the reporting.
https://twitter.com/IDFSpokesperson/status/488552691904151552
That’s why I’m curious about the drone itself. Who knows just how sophisticated or large it was.
Remember, the important thing isn’t the cost of the Patriot fired at the drone, but the potential cost in lives and property at the target.
Phalanx is the last line of defense, so it’s better to leave your options open.