A senior Israeli officer has revealed his country’s extensive use of combat drones in a series of conflicts since 2012, outlining for the first time on record how the weapons have been used, everywhere from Gaza to Syria.
Israel’s use of drones during conflicts in Gaza with militant group Hamas and a number of smaller groups has long been known — residents of the enclave have often described hearing the unmanned aircraft overhead.
Israel has operated drones such as the Heron and Hermes ― domestically-made designs ― against militants in the Sinai and in Gaza itself. These drones are similar to US unmanned aircraft such as the Predator and Reaper drones, which were used extensively by the US in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But Israel’s use of drones over Syria is less well known. Brig Gen Neri Horowitz was speaking at the annual Uvid DroneTech conference hosted by Israel Defence magazine in Tel Aviv.
He said that previously Israel did not comment explicitly on weapons platforms used. The Israeli government has seldom commented on air strikes against Iran-backed groups in Syria, despite conducting what analysts say have been hundreds of air strikes in the country since 2013.
Experts say that some of the weapons used to target Bashar Al Assad’s air defences have been so-called “loitering munitions” or “kamikaze drones”, which fly at low altitude and have a small “radar signature” making them difficult to detect.
Israeli censors in July permitted publication of information about the armed drones and the chief of Israel's artillery corps ― which runs the drones together with the air force ― used his speech at an industry forum to give what he described as a first public account of the armed versions of the pilotless planes.
He said the armed drones not only provide Israel with additional firepower, but also allow, in a single platform, for speedy detection and attack against targets, such as Gaza rocket crews, before they can carry out a launch.
He disclosed that when insurgents from Egypt burst across the border into southern Israel in a hijacked armoured vehicle in May 2012, they were destroyed in a drone strike.
Showing footage of Ukrainian forces using drones to guide shelling of invading Russian troops, he said: "We have the same application here."
Israel is expanding its drone forces, whose personnel are 30 per cent female, Brig Gen Horowitz said. The artillery corps, he said, was replacing its cannon insignia with concentric circles representing the incorporation of the aerial platforms.
At the same conference, Brig Gen Omri Dor, commander of Palmachin airbase, said drones now accounted for 80 per cent of the Israeli military's operational flight hours.
However, manufacturers of armed drones are barred from advertising them and none of them were among the models on display at the conference.
"There are information security concerns," said a sales representative for one of the companies, Elbit.
In a separate speech, Economy Minister Orna Barbivai said drone exports were popular abroad, including among Arab countries that have drawn closer to Israel since 2020. She did not specify if such exports included armed drones.
Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
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TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
Who is Tim-Berners Lee?
Sir Tim Berners-Lee was born in London in a household of mathematicians and computer scientists. Both his mother, Mary Lee, and father, Conway, were early computer scientists who worked on the Ferranti 1 - the world's first commercially-available, general purpose digital computer. Sir Tim studied Physics at the University of Oxford and held a series of roles developing code and building software before moving to Switzerland to work for Cern, the European Particle Physics laboratory. He developed the worldwide web code as a side project in 1989 as a global information-sharing system. After releasing the first web code in 1991, Cern made it open and free for all to use. Sir Tim now campaigns for initiatives to make sure the web remains open and accessible to all.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Naga
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The years Ramadan fell in May
Match info:
Leicester City 1
Ghezzal (63')
Liverpool 2
Mane (10'), Firmino (45')
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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The five pillars of Islam
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 200
Amount raised: $3m
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
NEW ARRIVALS
Benjamin Mendy (Monaco) - £51.75m (Dh247.94m)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) - £45.9m
Bernardo Silva (Monaco) - £45m
Ederson Moraes (Benfica) - £36m
Danilo (Real Madrid) - £27m
Douglas Luiz (Vasco de Gama) - £10.8m
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
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On sale: now
More on animal trafficking
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