Defense Minister Israel Katz held an urgent discussion Wednesday night on the drone threat within Israel, with senior security officials, according to N12. Katz said after the meeting that the defense establishment is working with security bodies and government ministries to advance an immediate and comprehensive operational plan to address the drone threat, alongside completing enforcement and regulatory steps.
Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed Thursday morning that the defense establishment is advancing an immediate and comprehensive operational plan to address the drone threat, following an urgent discussion he convened Wednesday night with senior security officials. Katz's statement, reported by N12, is the first official confirmation of the direction of the plan.
The confirmation follows earlier reports from Thursday morning. At 08:24 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Katz had held the urgent discussion, during which security officials recommended a complete nationwide ban on drone flights. The implementation of such a ban remains under review due to its broad implications for the public and the drone industry, following the Security Cabinet's principled decision to ban private drone flights.
The drone threat has been described by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Shin Bet Director David Zini as a generational shift in warfare, comparable to the introduction of the tank in World War I, as The Zioneer reported on July 31. The discussion also comes amid heightened security concerns, including recent calls by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for an aggressive deterrent response to drone incursions.
The full scope of the operational plan and the status of the recommended ban on private drone flights remain under review. Katz's statement did not specify a timeline for implementation.
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