Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ Shoots Down Rocket Over Tel Aviv
Israel’s “Iron Dome” defense system shot down a rocket reportedly aimed at Tel Aviv, according to several reports Tuesday. More than 130 rockets were fired into Israel on Tuesday as Israeli forces continued to strike back, hitting 150 targets in the Gaza Strip.
Sirens sounded in Tel Aviv Tuesday afternoon as Israeli forces reportedly shot down a rocket aimed at the city. NBC News reports that television reports showed people getting off buses and rushing for cover.
While the Israeli military didn’t confirm the report immediately, at least one explosion was heard shortly after the sirens sounded. Israeli TV stations praised the Iron Dome defense system for shooting the rocket down.
The apparent attack would be the deepest strike by Palestinian militants since Israel launched its offensive in the Gaza Strip earlier this week. Israeli media also reported that three suspected Hamas militants landed on Zikim beach, between the northern Gaza border and the city of Ashkelon. Reports said that the suspected militants were killed in a firefight with Israeli defense forces.
Fox News notes that the earlier strikes prompted U.S. President Barack Obama to urge both sides to exercise restraint. However, the Israeli military stated that the strikes in Gaza will help “retrieve stability to the residents of southern Israel.” The military added that the strikes will also “eliminate Hamas’ capabilities and destroy terror infrastructure against the State of Israel and its civilians.”
Mark Regev, a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, added, “We have repeatedly warned Hamas that this must stop and Israel’s defense forces are currently acting to put an end of this once and for all.”
The airstrikes in Gaza killed five Palestinians and injured more than a dozen others, according to the region’s Health Ministry.
Close to 300 rockets and mortars have been fired at Israel from Gaza in recent weeks, including a barrage of almost 100 projectiles on Monday alone. The incidents represent a huge surge after years of relative quiet that followed a previous campaign by Israel to destroy Gaza rocket launchers.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon declared a special security situation in communities within 25 miles of Israel’s border with Gaza. Summer camps and other activities were canceled and residents were urged to stay in running distance of bomb shelters and other safe spaces.
Yaalon stated, “We are preparing for action against Hamas, which will not end in a few days.” He urged citizens to follow safety instructions to avoid casualties while the army acts “to exact a heavy price from Hamas.”
Israel’s Iron Dome defense system has been credited with bringing down several rockets aimed at the country’s cities from Hamas over the years.
[Image by Israel Defense Force]
