ISRAELI OCCUPATION DRONE CRASHES INTO SEA OFF COASTLINE

         Gaza, 5 Dzulhijjah 1434/10 October 2013 (MINA) – For third time in six months , an Israel  occupation unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)crashed into the sea about two kilometers from Palmahim kibbutz  beach on Tuesday. The cause of the crash remains unclear, Haaretz reported.

        In July, the Israel occupation military forces intentionally crashed a drone of the same kind, after the aircraft displayed signs of a technical malfunction.

         A similar incident occurred in May, when the IMF intentionally downed one of its own Heron-class   unmanned aerial vehicles, known as “Shoval,” in the sea following an engine malfunction.

         IMF officials explained at the time that the decision to down the UAV was made due to concerns that control over the drone would be lost, and it might crash into populated areas, Alray quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

         In January 2012, a different type of a Heron-class drone, known as “Eitan,” crashed in southern Israel while on a test flight. The flight was testing new navigation components in the UAV. A preliminary investigation indicated that the accident was caused by a technical malfunction.

        In related news, Israeli gunboats opened fire towards Gaza shores on Wednesday morning, no injuries reported.

       Local sources said that loud explosions were heard at dawn; lately they recognized them as artillery shells launched by Israeli gunboats towards the coast of Gaza.

       Israeli occupation gunboats open its fire regularly towards Palestinian fishers and homes close to the seashore.  (T/P013/E1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)