Israel deploys drones in search for teens believed kidnapped by Hamas

Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel’s military has made extensive use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the search for three teenagers believed abducted by Hamas.

The Israel Army has deployed the Skylark UAV to conduct reconnaissance in the West Bank as part of an operation to find three Jewish youngsters abducted on June 12.

Skylarks were able to operate at very low altitude practically undetectable. Skylark I mini UAV (early version) Photo: Elbit Systems
Skylark drones are said to be able to operate at very low altitude practically undetectable.  /Elbit Systems photo

Several UAVs were flying around the southern West Bank
city of Hebron, near where the abduction vehicle was found.

“We are bringing unique information to the forces working in the
streets, since they cannot see what’s up on the roofs,” Maj. Aviv Koltonof,
head of the UAV unit, said.

In a briefing on June 17, Koltonof said the Skylark, known in the
military as Skyrider, was providing infantry troops with real-time video
over Hebron and surrounding towns. More than 2,000 troops were said to be
conducting a house-to-house search for the kidnapped teenagers.

Skylark, introduced in 2010, has been the leading UAV of the army. The
tactical platform has been developed and produced by Israel’s Elbit Systems
and meant to detect threats up to 15 kilometers away.

Koltonof said the Skylarks were flying at an altitude of up to 400
meters. The UAVs, which can provide reconnaissance at all times, have been
operated by the Artillery Corps.

“Every night, [the UAV] allows our forces to change their route in
entering a village,” Koltonof said.

Military sources said the captives were believed held in one of Hamas’
numerous tunnels and bunkers in the West Bank. On June 17, the military
released footage of a Hamas lair in the West Bank town of Tzurif, discovered
in September 2013. They said the dungeon was meant to conceal abducted
Israelis.

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