Minutes after launching Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, over 5,000 rockets were fired towards Israel by Hamas militants in Gaza Strip on Saturday. Over 300 were killed in the Hamas attack. However, Israel's anti-missile system, Iron Dome, one of the best air defence systems in the world, intercepted many rockets that was fired from Gaza.
What is Iron Dome?
Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system is a land-based air defence system. It destroys short-range rockets, shells and mortars. Since its introduction in 2011, it has become the main part of the country's defence.
It is powered by missile-defence batteries. It is capable of destroying missiles fired from a distance of 4-70 kms (within around 40 miles of the battery). The batteries are mobile and therefore it can be moved to where required.
The radar system inbuilt detects the incoming rockets and shells. The control center guides or commands the threat level. The missile interceptor then destroys the incoming rocket before its strikes. The goal is to destroy the missile as far away possible from the populated areas.
The anti-missile system is effective against low-altitude and slow-moving projectiles.
Near #Gaza - exploding above our heads - #Israel’s Iron Dome missiles intercept Hamas rockets pic.twitter.com/64Xe0NOFDW
— Nic Robertson (@NicRobertsonCNN) October 8, 2023
The Iron Dome is developed by two Israeli firms Rafael Advanced Defence Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries. They also had the support from the United States in developing the system.
However, the system has its limitations as well. It is not designed to defend against all types of threats.
During the 2006 Lebanon conflict, several people died as thousands of rockets rained down in Israel. The missiles were fired by Hezbollah. It was after this attack, Israeal set up its own air defence system.
Later during the Hamas attacks in 2012 and 2014, Iron Dome was able to intercept nearly 85 percent of the rockets.
