The hostilities between Israel and Palestine are at an all-time high. Over 1,050 mortar shells and rockets fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. The dome can intercept over 90% of missiles that head toward populated areas, reported the Israeli defense force (IDF) spokesperson Hidai Zilberman to The Times of Israel. Here is everything you need to know about Israel’s Iron Dome and because of it how Israel countered the attacks.
What is Israel’s Iron Dome?
The Iron Dome of Israel is an air defense system. Two companies Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries developed it. The project also received financial funding and technical support from the US.
In service since 2011, the dome prevents short-range artillery and rockets, similar to the ones fired from Gaza.
David’s Sling and David’s Arrow
There are two separate systems in place, David’s sling, and David’s Arrow, designed for medium and long-range firing. They deter threats like drones, planes, missiles, and rockets. Iron Dome relies on a system of radar and analysis to determine whether an incoming rocket is a threat, firing an interceptor only if the incoming rocket risks hitting a populated area or important infrastructure.
Background
The IDF launched strikes on upwards of 500 targets in the Gaza Strip as a response. The confrontation has escalated in recent days with large crowds to al-Aqsa on account of Ramadan. As a result, the clashes started between Palestinians and Israeli police forces. The protests have now spread to other Arab areas inside Israel.
