Ground observers saw an object crossing from Jordan south of the Dead Sea.
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.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 16, 2010
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