The IDF restored full routine Thursday night in and around Beit El after hours of alarm and military activity sparked by what was initially believed to be a drone infiltration over the Binyamin region, but later turned out to be a dramatic case of mistaken identity involving commercial aircraft.

The scare began after the military activated the “Air Hammer” emergency procedure across the Binyamin area following reports that several drones had allegedly been spotted flying above Beit El and near the adjacent Arab village of Jalazone.

Large numbers of IDF forces were rushed to the scene as security personnel launched extensive searches for the suspected drone operators. Early field assessments indicated that roughly five unidentified aerial objects had been seen moving through the area, raising fears of a potential security incident.

As tensions mounted, troops and local emergency teams heightened their readiness, while nearby communities were instructed to remain alert amid concerns that hostile aircraft may have penetrated the sector.

Later in the evening, however, Kan 11 News reported that the suspected “drones” were most likely commercial airplanes approaching Ben Gurion Airport after flight paths had temporarily been redirected eastward. According to the report, aircraft descending for landing passed approximately four kilometers from Beit El at an altitude of about 1,500 meters, leading residents and security personnel to mistakenly identify them as low-flying drones.

The confusion triggered widespread alarm throughout the region and ultimately led to the large-scale military response before authorities issued an all-clear.

Before the situation became fully understood, security officials carried out an initial evaluation and determined that the objects in question did not appear to be explosive drones, but rather a category of aircraft or drones forbidden from operating in Judea and Samaria.

In response to the reports, the IDF raised the threat level in the area, while local response squads in surrounding communities prepared for the possibility of a serious security incident.

Officials at the scene reportedly examined several theories regarding what caused the mistaken identification.

One assessment suggested that earlier in the day, the IDF had received notice about police aerial operations in the Ramallah region, and investigators believe lights from a police helicopter may also have contributed to the confusion.

The incident nearly escalated into disaster after soldiers in the area reportedly opened fire at what they believed was a hostile drone. No injuries or damage were reported.

The Airports Authority later confirmed that authorization had been granted for an aircraft to operate in the area overnight. Even so, security forces continued operating in the region as investigators worked to fully determine what occurred and ensure that no actual threat remained.

{Matzav.com}