Israeli army says it intercepted drone in country's south

JERUSALEM

The Israeli army said on Thursday its air force intercepted a drone in southern Israel.

“A short while ago, the air force intercepted an unmanned aircraft in south of the country. There are no casualties," a brief statement said.

According to the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, the military has launched an investigation to determine the drone’s origin.

Initial estimates suggested it did not come from Gaza or Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

The newspaper said the drone entered Israeli airspace near the Be’er Milka area, in the border region near Egypt.

Based on its location, the drone could have originated from Yemen, as the Houthi group has carried out drone attacks against Israel in recent months.

Earlier in the day, the Houthi group said it successfully attacked a “vital target” in Tel Aviv using drones.

It is, however, unclear whether the drone intercepted by the Israeli military was part of this specific attack.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul