Israel reveals which drones Hezbollah used for strike
Mirsad-1 / Ababil-T drone (Illustrative photo: flickr.com)
Hezbollah militants used Mirsad drones to strike Israel on the evening prior. One of the drones was not intercepted and struck a gathering of people in the Binyamina area, resulting in nearly 70 injuries and 4 fatalities, reports The Times of Israel.
It is reported that, according to the results of an initial investigation into the strike, Hezbollah militants launched two drones on Sunday evening, October 13, which entered Israeli airspace from the sea.
Preliminary data indicates that these were Mirsad drones, known in Iran as Ababil-T.
The Times of Israel notes that this model of drones is the main suicide drone used by Hezbollah.
What are the characteristics of the Mirsad / Ababil-T drone
According to the Israeli research institute Alma Center, which specializes in security issues in the northern part of the country, this drone has the following specifications:
- flight range: 120 kilometers;
- maximum speed: 370 km/h;
- payload capacity: up to 40 kg of explosives;
- operating altitude: up to 3,000 meters.
Details of the drone attack
On Sunday, both drones were tracked by Israeli radar as they responded to the aerial attack. One drone was intercepted near the coast north of Haifa, prompting sirens to sound in the western Galilee region.
The second drone was pursued by aircraft and helicopters from the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) but disappeared from radar.
Israeli authorities suspect that the drone's signal was lost, likely due to its flying very close to the ground.
At that time, the sirens were not activated, as it was assumed the drone had either crashed or been intercepted after it vanished.
However, this Hezbollah drone struck individuals in the Binyamina area, resulting in 67 reported injuries.
Casualties already reported
Additionally, as stated by the IDF in a statement released that night, the drone launched by the terrorist organization Hezbollah struck a military base adjacent to Binyamina.
"Four IDF soldiers were killed in the incident and an additional seven were severely injured," the Israeli military command stated.
It was also noted that an investigation into the incident is underway.
