Israel is one of the few countries with fully functional domestic drone development and production capabilities, and in the Gaza war, Israel extensively used UAVs.

It appears that the fighting in Gaza between the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian militants led by Hamas will rank among the worst Arab-Israeli confrontations in the Jewish State’s seventy-five-year history. To lower attrition, Israel is utilizing a variety of technology, including unmanned aerial vehicles.

Over 500 IDF soldiers, over 60 police officers, and ten Shin Bet intelligence officials have died since October 7; hundreds more have been injured, the IDF formally revealed in late December. The IDF announced this week a “new phase” of the conflict that would involve fewer broad deployments and more “targeted” raids and “surgical missions” in response to the mounting casualties Israel’s ground campaign in Gaza is suffering. This phase reportedly also includes a campaign of assassinations of Hamas leaders both inside and outside of Israel. The news has been interpreted by Hamas and its allies as evidence that Tel Aviv’s much-discussed ground campaign in Gaza has stalled.

According to various sources, MbZ, during a call with Netanyahu regarding unemployment benefits for Palestinian laborers, told him to ask Zelensky for money.

Israel is one of the few countries with fully functional domestic drone development and production capabilities. Israel has long viewed reconnaissance, kamikaze, and long-range strike drones as critical components of its military strategy. Drones have been the IDF’s eyes and ears in the Gaza operation, searching for hidden Hamas fighters and tunnels in the wreckage of the Palestinian enclave’s cities, especially as ground forces have advanced.

The IDF possesses more than a dozen different types of drones, including the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper-style long-range strike drones known as the Elbit Hermes 900, small IAI Bird-Eye mini-UAVs used for military and paramilitary intelligence gathering, and IAI Harpy loitering munitions and medium-altitude long-endurance reconnaissance vehicles.

In January 2024, an Israeli soldier launches a drone close to the Israeli-Gaza border in southern Israel.

Israel’s drone arsenal is extensive and includes small reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) like the one in the picture that can be disassembled and transported in light vehicles.

Israeli Defense Forces short-range surveillance drone takes flight after being launched by a trooper with the help of a rope line.

Near the Israel-Gaza border, an Israeli soldier inspects a spy drone to make sure it is operational.

Near the Israeli-Gaza border, an Israeli soldier gets ready to launch a drone.

In an open area, IDF troops inspect two turboprop recon drones.

While getting ready to deploy a small spy drone close to Gaza, an Israeli soldier stands in front of the Sun’s shadow.