“Israel’s Air Defense System in Action Intercepts Iranian Missiles”

Iran’s Attack on Israel and Retaliation for the Killing of Hezbollah and Hamas Leaders

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched a significant missile and rocket attack on Israel today, marking a sharp escalation in the already tense situation in West Asia. The attack comes in response to the deaths of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and a key Hamas leader, reportedly killed in Israeli strikes last week. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are long-standing allies of Iran, and the deaths of their leaders have triggered a swift and aggressive response from Tehran.

This is the second major attack by Iran on Israel in less than six months, following an earlier offensive in April when Iran launched over 200 drones and missiles at Israeli targets. The current salvo involved more than 100 missiles and rockets, fired from various Iranian positions and detected over Jordanian airspace. Jordan has since suspended all air traffic due to the danger posed by the ongoing conflict.

Israel’s Air Defence System in Action

Israel’s multi-tiered air defense system, consisting of the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow Defense Systems (Arrow 2 and Arrow 3), was deployed to neutralize the barrage of missiles. Videos circulating online show the night sky over Israel lighting up with explosions as the defense systems intercepted missiles and rockets. The Iron Dome, designed for short-range threats, handled the majority of the interceptions, while Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 targeted longer-range ballistic missiles.

Iron Dome

The Iron Dome is known for its effectiveness in intercepting short-range rockets and artillery shells. It has been actively used since 2011 and has successfully intercepted thousands of projectiles aimed at Israel. During today’s attack, it was used to neutralize rockets aimed at civilian populations in Israeli cities.

David’s Sling

The David’s Sling system, which provides medium-to-long-range defense, complements the Iron Dome by engaging more sophisticated and longer-range threats. This system is capable of intercepting missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers, providing another layer of protection.

Arrow 2 and 3

The Arrow 2 system is tasked with defending against long-range ballistic missiles, with a range extending up to 2,400 kilometers. During today’s attack, the Arrow 2 system targeted Iranian missiles detected in Jordanian airspace and intercepted them before they reached Israeli territory. The Arrow 3 system, designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside of Earth’s atmosphere, was crucial in neutralizing missiles fired at Israel earlier in the year. In today’s attack, the Arrow 3 system may have been used to intercept missiles in the exo-atmosphere, preventing them from entering Israeli airspace.

U.S. Support and Global Implications

In response to the attack, U.S. President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. military to assist Israel in defending against Iranian missile strikes. The U.S. Navy and Air Force are reportedly on standby to shoot down any additional missiles targeting Israel. Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are closely monitoring the situation from the White House Situation Room.

The United States has long supported Israel’s missile defense systems, contributing substantial funding to the development and deployment of these systems. By 2020, U.S. financial support for the Arrow Weapon System exceeded $3.7 billion, with half of the annual development costs of the Arrow 2 system funded by the U.S. This partnership underscores the strategic alliance between the U.S. and Israel, particularly in the realm of missile defense.

Conclusion

Today’s missile attack by Iran marks a significant escalation in the already volatile relations between Iran and Israel. The attack highlights the importance of Israel’s multi-layered air defense system, which has proven capable of defending the nation against a range of missile threats. However, the situation remains tense, with potential for further military actions in the coming days, especially given the close U.S. involvement and the growing threat posed by Iranian-backed groups in the region.