(Times of Israel) Ilan Ben Zion - Because of their success on the Gaza border, the IDF has now decided to station observer balloons on the increasingly problematic Egyptian frontier, Israel Channel 10 TV reported Wednesday. The balloons, equipped with electronic surveillance technology, give IDF intelligence 360 degrees of high-definition visibility for up to eight km. (five miles). They also gather meteorological data. "In the last week, our [balloon] networks cooperated to no small degree with IDF artillery and the air force to destroy no small number of launchers and terrorist cells," said Captain Shahar Golbary, commander of the Gaza Division's balloon unit. "When the terrain is flat the balloon can alert us long before the forces arrive at a specific point." Earlier this week, an Israeli military official said that terrorist cells in Gaza now have mere moments before they are spotted and targeted by Israeli missiles, thanks to a streamlined intelligence network and more readily available firepower.
2012-06-29 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive