Iron Dome raises its game

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have expressed satisfaction with the performance of their Iron Dome rocket interception system during the eight-day Operation 'Pillar of Defence' against militants in the Gaza Strip.

"The Iron Dome defence system has accomplished a high rate of successful interceptions (84%), while Hamas' accuracy with regard to hitting populated areas within Israel remained below 7%," the IDF said in a statement.

About 1,500 rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel during the 'Pillar of Defence' operation, the majority of which landed in uninhabited areas because the Iron Dome batteries only engage rockets that threaten the population centres they have been tasked with protecting.

According to figures provided by the IDF, Iron Dome destroyed 426 rockets, with a successful interception rate of 84% implying that it failed to destroy another 81 rockets. Five Israelis were killed and more than 200 wounded by rockets during the operation.

This interception rate is higher than those recorded during escalated hostilities earlier in the year, even though the rocket fire was more intense during the latest round.