Israeli authorities report disruption over navigation systems in its airspace

Israeli authorities have reported navigation systems in its airspace experiencing significant disruption over recent weeks.

Israel’s Airports Authority said on Thursday that, contrary to public speculation, the unexplained GPS disturbance did not appear to be a direct attack on Israel.

It said the disruption was creating confusion but not adversely affecting airplane safety and that investigations were ongoing to try to solve the problem.

Suspicions in local media fell on Russia, which operates an air base in neighbouring Syria and has been accused of manipulating global navigation systems as part of cyber-attacks.

Israeli officials declined to comment on the reports.

Aviation authorities said the incursion was impacting cockpit operations, specifically flight routes, but not take-offs or landings.

They said they had “changed some of the entry proceedings for landing” at Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport, without elaborating further.