An Israeli Patriot missile intercepted a drone, which had penetrated 10 kilometers (6 miles) into Israeli airspace, over the Sea of Galilee on Wednesday, The Times of Israel reported.

The launching of the Patriot activated sirens in the southern Golan Heights and northern Jordan Valley regions. The Patriot missile, however, intercepted the drone and shot it down over the Sea of Galilee. Fragments of the drone dropped into the water below.

Residents in northern Israel reported seeing trails of smoke and hearing explosions.

The extent of the penetration suggests that the drone was deliberately sent into Israel. According to the IDF, the drone had been launched from Syria but entered Israel through Jordan. It isn’t clear how the drone managed to penetrate so deeply into Israel before being shot down.

All boats in the Sea of Galilee were ordered to dock by the Israeli police for “operational activity” following the incident.

“The IDF will not allow a violation of the State of Israel’s aerial sovereignty and will take action against any attempt to harm its citizens,” the army said.

Two weeks ago, Israel reported that a Patriot had been fired towards a drone that entered Israeli airspace from Syria. However, in the earlier incident, the drone turned around and returned to Syria.

In 2017, Israel shot down three drones that entered Israeli airspace from Syria. Two were identified as Syrian military drones, and one was identified as coming from the Iran-backed terrorist group, Hezbollah.

Israel in February intercepted an Iranian drone that had penetrated Israeli airspace. Israel has reportedly carried out airstrikes against the Tiyas or T-4 airbase, from where the drone was launched inside Syria in February and April. In April, the IDF announced that the drone which had infiltrated in February had been armed with explosives.

[Photo: Oren Rozen / WikiCommons ]