IDF loses military drone for second time in a week

The unmanned aerial vehicle was reportedly scouring the skies in an operation over the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank city of Nablus when the IDF lost communication with it.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

JANUARY 23, 2017 14:34

Updated: JANUARY 23, 2017 14:38

IDF soldier with a drone (photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT) — IDF soldier with a drone

(photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT)

For the second time in a week, the IDF on Sunday temporarily lost a drone over Palestinian territory in the West Bank.

The unmanned aerial vehicle was reportedly scouring the skies in an operation over the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank city of Nablus when the military lost communication with it.

Following overnight searches, the IDF located the "tactical Skylark UAV" drone near a Samaria Regional Brigade post, Channel 10 reported. The IDF said that it has launched an investigation into the incident.

Last Monday, the Israeli military said one of its drones had crash landed in Lebanese territory near the border with Israel, also identifying the drone as a "tactical Skylark UAV".

The Lebanese terror group Hezbollah later claimed that it had located the downed Israeli drone and taken it to a secure location for inspection.

The IDF said that it was looking into the cause of the accident as well.