The air force reported that pilots who were sent on the first day of the operation in Iran suggested dropping excess munitions on targets in Gaza.
During Operation Rising Lion, IAF pilots suggested using excess munitions from strikes against Iran on Gaza targets, which provided significant assistance to IDF ground forces operating in the enclave at the time.
Sources from the IAF said that pilots who were sent on the first day of the operation in Iran to carry out a mission to defend Israel’s skies and intercept missiles and drones launched from Iran to Israel added air-to-surface missiles to their aircraft.
Each plane was required to carry out a reconnaissance mission for a pre-designated period. After completing their mission, some pilots turned to the Gaza combat control room and suggested dropping the remaining munitions on targets in Gaza to assist the ground forces maneuvering in the northern Gaza Strip and the Khan Yunis area.
Maj.-Gen. Tomer Bar welcomed the suggestion
The pilots’ suggestion was welcomed, and within hours, this became routine. Israel Air Force Commander Major-General Tomer Bar, who heard about the initiative, instructed to expand it to all the squadrons and make it a protocol.
Because of this decision, the air force was able to intensify the waves of strikes in Gaza without adding additional force structures. The IDF stated that during the 12 days of fighting in Iran, Gaza was hit with a wave of powerful airstrikes.
IAF fighter jets taking off to intercept the UAVs launched from Iran, June 13, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT)
Every day, dozens of fighter jets on sky defense missions, on their way to land, flew over Gaza and dropped hundreds of munitions on Hamas targets according to the instructions of the ground forces.
An IAF official explained that the pilots’ initiative significantly enhanced the air force’s effectiveness across various combat scenarios.
“Beyond the large scope of the strikes, this move allowed the air force to better utilize its power. Instead of scrambling planes from the ground to carry out the strikes, planes that were already in the air carried out the missions, saving a lot of resources and increasing the air force’s capabilities,” explained the military official.
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