(Washington, D.C.) — In just the past week alone, Palestinian terrorists in Gaza have fired over 1,ooo rockets at Israeli civilians. In recent days, rockets have been fired at Israel from Lebanon and Syria, too. While there have been some injuries, not a single Israeli has been killed by these attacks so far. How is this possible?
Thank God for the “Iron Dome.” So far, Israel’s seemingly-miraculous anti-rocket defense system has:
- shot down more than 200 rockets, successfully destroying 90% of the targets it’s been fired at
- saved countless Israeli lives in the process.
- bought time for Israeli leaders not to have to invade Gaza precipitously, but to be able to gather more and better intelligence on the enemy, mobilize the army, train for a possible invasion, move to the Gaza border, and prepare for a major ground operation in a disciplined, patient, prudent way — and on the timetable of Israel’s civilian leaders, not that of the terrorists.
- given Israeli citizens comfort and encouragement that despite this terrorist onslaught, their government is working hard — and effectively — to protect their lives.
- allowed the world to see the evil of these Palestinian terrorists who just keep shooting at innocent Israeli civilians with absolutely no prospect of military victory over Israel.
To be clear, the Iron Dome system is not fired at every single incoming Palestinian rocket. It is only activated when the IDF’s super-fast computers calculate the incoming rocket would hit a home, office, factory, or other occupied building or populated place. If the enemy rocket is determined to likely hit just a field or park or fall into the sea or hit some other “harmless” location, the Iron Dome doesn’t fire. Among other things, this ingenious approach saves Israel a lot of money. Each Iron Dome rocket costs an estimated $50,000.
The eighth Iron Dome battery just went operational. More are being built as quickly as possible.
The Israelis developed this unique technology of shooting down a rocket with a smaller, faster rocket with the help of U.S. taxpayer funding. Here are some recent articles, if you’d like to learn more:
- How did Israeli engineers develop and deploy the Iron Dome system in just 30 months from when the order was given by Israel’s Defense Minister? An inside look. (Technion journal)
- How does the Iron Dome work? The anti-missile system Iron Dome is the clear hero of Operation Pillar of Defense. Here’s a look at the development of this extraordinary homemade rocket swatter. (Haaretz)
- Israel says Iron Dome scores 90 percent rocket interception rate (Reuters)
Let’s thank the Lord for those who built and those who run the Iron Dome system. Let’s keep praying an invasion won’t be needed. Let’s pray all this conflict will end very soon, and keep praying for the Lord to show mercy to Israelis and Palestinians on both sides. Thanks.
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THE BIG PICTURE
Since the start of Operation Protective Edge, according to the IDF blog:
- over 1,000 rocket have been launched at Israel.
- 754 of those rockets hit Israel
- approximately 201 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
- The IDF has targeted over 1,474 terror targets, with both naval and aerial capabilities.
Monday, July 14 — Day #7
1:00 PM: A boy was lightly wounded from shrapnel after a rocket fired from Gaza struck Ashdod.
11:15 AM: The Iron Dome shot down a Gaza rocket above Ashkelon.
1:22 AM: A short while ago, several rockets were fired from Lebanon at Israel. One hit an open area. IDF immediately responded towards the source with artillery fire. UNIFIL has been notified of the severity of the incident.
12:32 AM: Rocket sirens sounded in northern Israel.
12:26 AM: Iron Dome just intercepted seven rockets above Ashkelon.
Sunday, July 13 — Day #6
- More than 130 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel.
- At least 102 rockets struck Israel.
- 22 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
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