WATCH: How Iron Dome system, The invisible shield protecting Israel from Hamas rockets
Days after the violent conflict between Israel and Palestine turned into a full-blown confrontation with massive airstrikes and rockets being propelled from both sides, what has emerged as one of the biggest attractions is the Iron Dome system.
The shield which has defended Israeli airspace from a barrage of rockets propelled by Hamas and Palestinian security forces is being talked about globally and several videos have gone viral on social media.
At the centre of the violent confrontation is the Al-Aqsa mosque considered to be the third holiest site in Islam but hold equal importance for jews, who call it Temple Mount.
What is Iron Dome system?
The Iron- Dome is a short-range ground-to-air defence system that comprises of a Tamir interceptor and a radar that tracks and destroys any missile or airborne system that enters Israeli airspace. The system is used by Tel-Aviv in countering, rockets, missile launchers, artillery, and mortars from enemy targets. The system can equally intercept unwanted helicopters, aircraft, or UAVs that enter the airspace without permission.
The Iron Dome was deployed in 2011 nearly six years after it was first announced by the Israeli government following the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon war during which Hezbollah had fired thousands of rockets into Israel.
These are not fireworks but Israel's Iron Dome defence intercepting scores of Gaza rockets in skies above Tel Aviv … pic.twitter.com/k87w8bMh1m
— Avocadorable (@feni_and_pao) May 13, 2021
From last night in #Israel. You see rockets being fired from #Gaza and intercepted by #IronDome. pic.twitter.com/QPF1ABnNnQ
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) May 13, 2021
Video from Gaza shows the rocket barrage a short while ago, and the Iron Dome interceptions pic.twitter.com/d8ce09mjLZ
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) May 12, 2021