Following threats: Israel to ban certain types of drone flights

Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to sign a security directive on Sunday banning the flight of fiber-optic and SIM drones in Israeli airspace for six months. The step is intended to address serious security threats, including drone attacks, attempts to harm senior officials, criminal use, and intelligence gathering.

Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to sign a special security directive on Sunday banning the flight of fiber-optic and SIM drones throughout Israel's aviation control area. The temporary measure, lasting six months, is intended to provide a security response until additional solutions are found. The decision was made against the backdrop of concrete intelligence and growing threats, including drone attacks, attempts to harm senior officials, use of drones by criminals and crime families, intelligence gathering, and smuggling. The ban was approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz in the political-security cabinet, following extensive discussions and staff work led by the National Security Council in cooperation with security bodies. The Defense Ministry emphasizes that the ban applies only to fiber-optic and SIM drones; other types of drones are not included. The minister will sign the directive under his authority according to the Aviation Law, after consulting with the director of the Civil Aviation Authority and completing a public comment process. Exceptions were set for security forces, ground-tethered fiber-optic drones, and drones that received appropriate approvals before the directive took effect, as well as an exceptions committee.