IDF investigates whether mystery aircraft from Lebanon was a drone model unfamiliar to Israel

More than 12 hours after a suspected drone infiltration triggered an alert in the Western Galilee on Saturday evening, the IDF still does not know what the unidentified aerial object was that crossed from Lebanon into Israel and disappeared. Among the possibilities being investigated is that it was a drone model unfamiliar to Israel's defense establishment. Security camera footage from the area, published by ynet for the first time, shows the unidentified object that triggered the alert. Moshe Davidovich, head of the Mateh Asher Regional Council and chairman of the Confrontation Line Forum, told residents Sunday morning that after the suspicious object was spotted, security forces raised their alert level and conducted searches throughout the night. "Emergency teams and local security coordinators were updated and operated throughout the night," Davidovich said. "Following a situation assessment, it was decided to return to routine, alongside continued security operations and the presence of checkpoints." He added: "We are aware of the questions raised by the incident, and because of the lack of clarity, I urgently contacted the Northern Command commander this morning to demand an immediate meeting with me and all the heads of the frontline local authorities, to receive a full, clear and unequivocal investigation into the incident." The IDF issued its first official statement only about four hours after the object crossed the border. "Following the alert activated at 7:57 p.m. in Arab al-Aramshe, IDF observation posts identified an unidentified aerial object near the border with Lebanon," the military said. "IDF forces are continuing searches in the area. So far, no unusual findings have been discovered. There are no special instructions for civilians." Following the alert, the IDF deployed large numbers of troops to communities across the Western Galilee to rule out the possibility of an infiltration. Forces were dispatched to Adamit, Arab al-Aramshe, Ya'ara, Goren, Hanita, Shlomi, Gesher Haziv, Sa'ar, Kabri, Avdon, Betzet, Liman, Nahariya, Evron, Ben Ami, Matzuba and Rosh Hanikra. Helicopters were also scrambled to assist with aerial searches, and the sound of their engines was clearly heard throughout the area. Searches continued Sunday morning, both on the ground and from the air, as security forces attempted to determine what had happened and identify the object. The IDF said residents could maintain their normal routines and that no special Home Front Command instructions had been issued. Nevertheless, many members of the local rapid-response teams activated Saturday evening in communities near the Lebanese border remained on duty as the searches continued. During the night, security forces also investigated additional suspicions, including a possible infiltration from the sea near Nahariya. Those concerns were subsequently ruled out.