Israel Breaks Out the Iron Dome

Following a recent spate of violence in the relentless Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israel is trying out a new anti-rocket defense system known as Iron Dome to guard the city of Beersheba, according to The New York Times.

The New York Times:

Military officials said the deployment was accelerated because of the recent escalation in rocket and mortar fire by Gaza militants against southern Israel and Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, which have led to fears of an all-out confrontation. But Israeli officials warned that the system, known as Iron Dome, was still experimental and could not provide the country with full protection from approaching rockets.

The situation along the border remained volatile. On Saturday, Gaza-based militant groups met and agreed to restore an unofficial cease-fire, according to officials from Hamas, the Islamic militant group that controls Gaza. The cease-fire has largely held since the end of Israel’s three-week military offensive in Gaza in the winter of 2008-9. That war came after years of rocket fire against southern Israel.

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The Israeli city of Beersheba is highlighted on a CIA-generated map, with Gaza a potentially threatening presence to the west.