Israeli Military Intercepts Suspicious Aerial Target Off Haifa Port Amid Border Tensions

Israel’s military has reportedly intercepted a suspicious aerial target near the northern port city of Haifa on Friday amid rising tensions along its border with Lebanon. The incident happened close to Ashdod and Haifa, two critical commercial hubs.

An Israeli military spokesman claimed that the intercepted target caused no damage or injuries. The spokesman underlined that the lack of sirens indicated a safe distance without specifying how close the target was to the port.

This interception comes after a similar occurrence in December in which Israel raised alarms in the outskirts of Haifa after intercepting a drone crossing from Lebanon. The target captured on Friday reportedly fell into Haifa’s maritime zone, which stretches 25 nautical miles offshore, according to a source familiar with marine security.

Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Lebanese organisation, have been involved in increasing cross-border confrontations lately. In reaction, Israel has threatened further escalation unless Hezbollah stops its cross-border strikes and evacuates inhabitants from regions close to the Lebanese border.

Although Israeli officials claim that air defence systems defend their ports, the shipping industry worries about what would happen to Haifa in the case of a significant escalation with Hezbollah, which is becoming more and more serious.

Reference: Reuters

Israeli Military Intercepts Suspicious Aerial Target Off Haifa Port Amid Border Tensions appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News