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http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/ ... 5&fid=1725Israel downs flying object near nuclear reactor
F-16 jet shoots down apparent engine-powered balloon that flew in forbidden zone over Dimona; military says it was unmanned
Hanan Greenberg, Reuters Published: 12.16.10, 16:34 / Israel News
An Israeli F-16 warplane on Thursday shot down a suspicious object, apparently a balloon, that flew in a forbidden area over Israel's Dimona nuclear reactor, a security official said.
"It definitely flew over Dimona, although we are still trying to determine what that entailed and the military is now handling the matter," the official said.
A military spokeswoman said an Israeli warplane "shot down a suspicious flying object, probably a balloon, in southern Israel". Israeli media reports said the balloon was unmanned but powered by an engine.
In October 2009 IAF fighter jets were scrambled to escort an ultralight plane that veered off the permitted flight zone near the Dimona nuclear research center and got too close to the sensitive site.
The jets forced the plane to land near Arad.
Construction on the Dimona reactor began in 1958, and it became operational in 1963.
Air Force shoots down balloon near Dimona
Ground observers saw an object crossing from Jordan south of the Dead Sea.
16 December 10 17:01, Globes' correspondent
An Israel Air Force jet shot down a suspicious object that was coming in from the direction of Jordan.
Ground observers saw the object crossing the border south of the Dead Sea.
The object was reportedly moving in the direction of Dimona.
The object was apparently an observation balloon, or possibly a meteorological balloon.
Since it entered Israeli air space, a combat jet was called in to intercept it, which under normal operating procedures, fired a missile at it, and destroyed it.
Air space in the Arava area was closed during the incident, and all flights between Tel Aviv and Eilat were halted.
After the balloon was shot down and verified that it was no threat, flights were resumed.
Search parties are currently scouring the area where the balloon fell to verify exactly what it was.
