OREANDA-NEWS  Israel launched the Ofek 19 radar reconnaissance satellite from the Palmachim military base in the central part of the country, the Jerusalem Post reported, citing the Israeli Defense Ministry.

"The satellite launch was carried out during a joint operation by the Ministry of Defense, the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Aerospace Industries," the newspaper said.

According to the newspaper, the launch of the satellite, which was not announced, caused panic in some parts of the country, as the civilian population mistook it for a rocket launch.