Photo: Streaks of light are seen as Israel's Iron Dome system intercepts rockets launched from Gaza - Getty Images
The Palestinian militant group, Hamas, has now fired over 3,000 rockets into Israel in the past week, most not aiming for any specific target. However, the vast majority of these rockets have been intercepted by Israel's 'Iron Dome' anti-missile system.
It is believed that the iron dome has been able to take out over 90% of Hamas missiles, thereby curtailing the number of Israeli casualties.
The system was developed during the war between Israel and Hezbollah, which took place in 2006. Rockets fired by the Lebanese-based group caused widespread destruction in Israel and mass casualties.
In response to this, Israeli firms Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, along with the United States' backing, created the Iron Dome.
The system works via radar, which picks up rockets as they enter Israel, a control system estimates the rocket's trajectory, and an interceptor missile is fired into the sky, destroying the missile mid-flight.
Numerous videos taken in Israel have shown the rockets being destroyed in the air, meaning the only danger to those in the ground is falling debris. The interceptor missiles are stationed across the country and also involve mobile units.
It is theoretically possible for Israel to intercept over 200 missiles at once.
Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Jonathan Conricus said:
"The number of Israelis killed and wounded would be far higher if it had not been for the Iron Dome system, which has been a life saver as it always is."
Hamas rockets are very powerful, and can reach several hundred kilometres, but are primitive compared to Israeli capabilities. The rockets themselves are smuggled in via Egypt and are even manufactured in the Gaza Strip itself from components that are also smuggled in. Israeli says that Iran has been behind teaching and training Palestinian militants in how to construct and fire the rockets, a claim that Iran denies.
Israel is hoping that as more Arab governments move towards recognition of Israel and move away from direct funding of Palestinian causes, the firepower of Hamas and other militant groups may be curtailed in the future.
[h/t: BBC]
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