Latest news with #Rafael
Middle East Eye
6 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Israeli weapons firm Rafael uses Gaza killing in marketing campaign
Israeli state-owned weapons company Rafael released a promotional video showing its drone system, Spike Firefly, tracking and killing a person in Gaza. The video, posted across the company's social media platforms, shows the miniature kamikaze drone hovering over a rubble strewn neighbourhood in the Palestinian enclave, identifying somebody walking down the street and then targeting them. The post is titled "Spike Firefly in urban warfare" and is accompanied by dramatic, miltary-style music. According to the on-screen titles, the drone "identifies the target," "tracks it," "and neutralises the threat". The video shows the Firefly silently hovering before diving after the person, who sees the drone and runs for cover. There is then an explosion, which "neutralises the threat". New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters It is unclear whether the targeted individual is a Palestinian fighter or not. They do not appear to be armed. They are walking along the road alone and do not appear to be posing a threat to anyone. Open-source analyst Anno Nemo geolocated the footage in Rafael's post to the al-Tawam area of northern Gaza. "Based on 2 Google Earth satellite images the video appears to have been taken between 4 June 2024 and 1 December 2024," Anno Nemo said, adding that possible changes are visible in the area on Sentinel satellite imagery from November 2024. "We mark two years since SPIKE FIREFLY was first operationally deployed - ushering in a new era of precision for the tactical fighting forces," Rafael said in a post accompanying the video on its X account. "Tested. Trusted. Tactical." SPIKE FIREFLY: Proven Precision, Redefining the Tactical Edge We mark two years since SPIKE FIREFLY was first operationally deployed-ushering in a new era of precision for the tactical fighting forces. Since that first use, FIREFLY has proven itself in some of the most… — Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (@RAFAELdefense) July 7, 2025 "FIREFLY has proven itself in some of the most challenging environments - delivering pinpoint strikes with minimal collateral damage, even in GPS jamming environments and under adverse weather conditions," the weapons company said on Facebook. The Rafael drone was designed to be used by ground forces in dense urban areas where "situational awareness is limited, the enemy is fighting from behind cover and the effectiveness of fire support elements is reduced by the close proximity of non-combatants". None of those conditions appear to apply to the video posted by Rafael. The drone is designed to be controlled in real time by a single soldier. Middle East Eye reached out to Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, which is owned by the Israeli state, for comment on the video but did not receive a response by time of publication. Israeli weapons marketing Israel has sold defence equipment to at least 130 countries and is now the eighth biggest arms exporter in the world. Israeli companies have marketed technology and weapons used on the Palestinian populations of the occupied West Bank and Gaza as "battlefield tested", a tactic that can be seen in Rafael's video. Rafael was founded in 1948 along with the state of Israel as the Science Corps. It is now probably best known for developing Iron Dome, the Israeli integrated air defence system, and for its guided missiles. The weapons company also has a history of unusual marketing. In 2009, Rafael released a Bollywood-style music video to advertise its weapons in India. The video features a man in a leather jacket and sunglasses representing Israel and a woman dressed in an embroidered sari representing India. The two characters sing to each other as a group of Indian women dance around them. "I need to feel safe and sheltered, security and protection," the Indian woman sings. "I believe in you," she sings, "You believe in me," the man representing Israel sings back. "Together, forever, we will always be," they sing in chorus. Ronny Dana, who photographed the advert and posted it to their YouTube page, said that "despite the controversy it had in Israel, the film was very successful and contributed to several billion-dollar contracts". 'War crime' In 2024, Rafael recorded sales of $4.8bn, a 27 percent increase on its figures from the year before. The company said that "approximately half" of these sales were to "international customers," 20 of which are Nato countries. Rafael is the largest employer in northern Israel and has ten offices outside Israel, including in the UK, US, UAE and India. An Indian government adviser, who asked for anonymity to comment on a sensitive matter, described the Firefly's targeting of the man in the Gaza video as a "war crime". How Israel tested, packaged & exported its occupation Read More » "Yes it is an apparent war crime: killing what seems like an unarmed person, walking in the street and not engaged in a military activity," Nimer Sultany, a Palestinian reader in public law at SOAS University in London, told MEE. Article three of the Fourth Geneva Convention states that: "Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces… shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction." The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court defines "intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities" as a war crime. "In this case, these killings are taking part of a genocide. So they are genocidal killings," Sultany said. During Israel's war on Gaza, the Israeli military has used Rafael Spike Guided Missiles extensively to target people inside buildings from the air and ground. The Orbiter 4, a drone developed by Rafael subsidiary Aeronautics, was used operationally for the first time in Gaza on 8 November 2023. In March, Rafael Systems Global Sustainment, a US subsidiary of the Israeli firm, announced that it had signed a cooperation agreement with the US army to closely develop the Spike family of missiles, including 'future enhancements and Americanization' of the munitions.
Middle East Eye
13-07-2025
- Middle East Eye
Israeli arms giant Rafael features Gaza strike in promotional video for kamikaze drone
Israeli weapons company Rafael has released a promotional video showing its drone system, Firefly, killing a person in Gaza. The video shows the Firefly kamikaze drone hovering over a neighbourhood, identifying a person walking down the street alone before targeting him. "We mark two years since SPIKE FIREFLY was first operationally deployed-ushering in a new era of precision for the tactical fighting forces," the Rafael said in a post on X. Open-source analyst Anno Nemo geolocated the footage to the Al-Tawam area of northern Gaza. "Based on 2 Google Earth satellite images the video appears to have been taken between 4 June 2024 and 1 December 2024," Anno Nemo said, adding that possible changes are visible in the area on Sentinel satellite imagery from November 2024.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fla beat São Paulo with ex-player stunner, stay top
As the Brasileirão 2025 resumed, Flamengo defeated São Paulo 2-0 at Maracanã this Saturday (12th), in the 13th round. Overall, the match—which was recently the Copa do Brasil final—was totally dominated by the Rubro-Negro, who kept the Tricolor Paulista pinned in their own half for almost the entire first half. Advertisement However, due to a mix of poor finishing and an inspired night from goalkeeper Rafael, the score remained 0-0 in the first half. Léo Ortiz hit the post, forced Rafael to work hard with a rebound off a corner, and Gonzalo Plata missed a great chance in the box, shooting wide. But the highlight of the first half was Rafael's 'Neuer-like' save on Wesley's impeccable shot. After halftime, the match took on a dramatic tone with the 'hole' left in Ayrton Lucas's leg after a tough challenge with Enzo Díaz from São Paulo. But then, the 'law of the ex' appeared in spectacular fashion. Luiz Araújo, who is 'Made in Cotia,' struck a rare and unstoppable shot to open the scoring for Flamengo. The number 7 is the second Flamengo player with the most goals and assists this year. In 33 matches, Luiz Araújo has scored nine goals and provided six assists. Advertisement In stoppage time, Luiz Araújo shot low, Rafael parried, and Wallace Yan appeared unmarked in the six-yard box to extend the lead and secure the victory. 🚦 What's next With the win, Flamengo reached 27 points and remained alone at the top of the Brasileirão. São Paulo, meanwhile, stayed at 12 points and in 15th place. With one game in hand, as they were in the United States for the Club World Cup during a league round, the Rubro-Negro returns to the field on Wednesday (16th) to visit Santos at Vila Belmiro. The Tricolor from Morumbi, meanwhile, travels to the interior of São Paulo to face RB Bragantino on the same day. Advertisement This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here. 📸 Wagner Meier - 2025 Getty Images
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India to fast-track Israeli decoy system for Rafale jets amid West Asia turmoil
India is looking to expedite deliveries of a decoy system that would strengthen the Rafale fighter jet fleet and provide it additional protection against enemy missiles. The X Guard fibre optic towed decoy system had been ordered by the Air Force as an enhancement to the fighter jets and enables them to operate in contested airspace. Sources said that the system -- manufactured by Israel's Rafael -- has been integrated and demonstrated on the fighter jets but deliveries have been impacted due to supply chain issues and the current turmoil in West Asia. Efforts are on to press for expedited deliveries as the system strengthens the fighter's ability to ward off enemy missiles. The Air Force did not respond to queries sent by ET on the issue. Israel's Rafael also did not respond to a questionnaire. Used extensively by the Israeli Air Force, the X Guard is a reusable decoy system that is integrated with the electronic warfare suite of fighter jets. The system, which mimics the signature of a fighter jet, is carried on a pod at a hard point and is deployed during high-risk missions. During the mission, the device is deployed and is towed by the fighter jet and remains connected to it through a fibre-optic line. It is designed to attract air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles fired at the aircraft, which mistake the decoy for the fighter jet and miss their target. After the mission ends, the system can be retracted during flight and gets stowed inside the pod. The Indian Rafale fighter jets , which performed with precision during Operation Sindoor, striking terror hubs at Bahawalpur and Muridke with pinpoint accuracy, have several enhancements tailored to Indian needs. This includes a helmet mounted display, an Infra Red Search and Track sensor and the ability to operate from high altitude airfields. Besides strike missions on the first day of Operation Sindoor, the Rafales were also used to conduct missile strikes on Pakistani airbases as a response to its actions towards Indian military targets. The SCALP long-range missile fired from the Rafales recorded several precision hits on high value targets in Pakistan, including hangars housing early warning aircraft and UAVs, command centres and airfields.
Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
NATO Frontline Nation To Build New Iron Dome
Romania has said it will acquire the Iron Dome missile defense system used by Israel to protect the NATO country from short-range missiles. Defense minister Ionuț Moșteanutold Romanian television that a deal would be signed this year with manufacturer Rafael "to defend our cities." Romania has raised the alarm over the spate of drones and missiles which have landed on its territory during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which it borders. Roger Hilton, defense research fellow at the Slovakia-based think tank GLOBSEC, told Newsweek Thursday that repeated air violations from Russian drones in Ukraine had forced Bucharest to implement a stronger deterrence system. It was reported in September 2024 that debris from missiles and drones from the war in Ukraine were landing in Romania. Russia's full-scale invasion had already sparked alarm among NATO members in Europe and Bucharest has repeatedly scrambled fighter jets after drones breached its airspace. While there is no proof that Russia deliberately fired anything into the NATO country, Bucharest's move for an Iron Dome defense highlights concern about Moscow's threat to the alliance whose charter's Article 5 states an attack on one member is an attack on all. Moșteanu announced Bucharest wants to import the Iron Dome air defense system, local outlet reported. He said the system—also used by Israel—would protect Romania from attacks with short and very short-range missiles and a contract for the SHORAD-VSHORAD air defense system is to be signed this autumn with manufacturer Rafael. He said that images of the system protecting Tel Aviv during Iranian missile and drone attacks showed its effectiveness. "It will protect us too. Whether it's airports, military bases or, God forbid, we need to defend our cities," Moșteanu told TVR, according to a translation. Hilton told Newsweek an Iron Dome system on NATO's eastern flank shows a larger trend across the alliance of bolstering air defense systems against projectiles due to Russia's push to produce short-range tactical missiles and drones. The Iron Dome system would be only one layer of air defense for Romania, and an expensive one at that, he said. As allies start to deliver on their pledge to spend 3.5 percent of GDP on core capabilities, future similar announcements on air defense systems should be expected, according to Hilton. "As these systems come online, it will surely be met with derision and false claims of escalation from the Kremlin," Hilton added. Israeli media first reported in 2022 about Romania's intention to become the first European country to acquire the system, which has been used by Israel since 2011 with a price tag of $150 million for each battery and $50,000 for each rocket. Cristi Berea, member of Romania's defense committee on X: "Romania takes a giant step for defense! The acquisition of the Iron Dome system is a historic decision. "A modern, battle-tested shield that will protect lives and infrastructure. Safety is not a luxury — it is a priority." Defense minister Ionuț Moșteanu, per Romanian media: "These are defensive missile batteries that we don't have, and we need them." Roger Hilton, defense research fellow at the Slovakia-based think tank GLOBSEC: "Repeated air violations and collateral spillover from the continued deployment of [drones] by Russia against Ukraine reached its limits, forcing policymakers in Romania to implement a stronger more escalatory deterrence system." Romanian outlet noted that the plans to get the system has problems as it is not an integrated one and has "major technical inconsistencies" with radars coming from Poland, and missiles from Israel, without having been bought by other NATO states. The deal is due to be signed this fall but Israel has banned exports of ammunition and military equipment until the end of the conflicts it is involved in "so the missiles will not arrive in Romania anytime soon," B1TV reported, according to a translation. Meanwhile, Moșteanu said that Romania's new president Nicușor Dan will lay out a new defense policy for the Black Sea, in a strategy that will include fellow NATO member Turkey as a key factor. Related Articles NATO Scrambles Multiple Fighter Jets After Long-Range Russian StrikesAbused, Abandoned Dog Gets a Promise From Rescue-Then Comes the MomentRomania Dodged a Bullet, But the West Is Still in Danger | OpinionUkraine's NATO Ally Can Shoot Down Russian Drones Under New Law 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
