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| English.news.cn 2011-04-11 16:32:43 |  Feedback  Print RSS  |
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| Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) walks with air force chief Major-General Ido Nehushtan (5th R) and Defence Minister Ehud Barak (5th L) during a visit to an Iron Dome unit in the coastal city of Ashkelon, north of the Gaza Strip April 10, 2011. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) |
by Claire Ben-Ari
JERUSALEM, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Loud blasts from Israel's new revolutionary anti-rocket system "Iron Dome" were felt and heard all over southern Israel, as it successfully intercepted several incoming missiles fired from the Gaza Strip by Palestinian militants over the weekend.
Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu celebrated the system's achievement on Sunday, but admitted that, "With all it's significance, (the system) is clearly a partial solution, and a military answer is also needed."
As towns and communities within close proximity of Gaza still lack defense from rockets, many southern residents found themselves under attack once again this weekend, expressing their disappointment in the new system.
Sderot mayor David Buskila criticized the system, "We have been victims for years. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) did not initiate Operation Cast Lead because of what was happening in Sderot and the communities, but because of Be'er Sheva and Ashdod. "
Dror from Kfar Azza, a community near Gaza said, "The situation is not safe yet and I am still frightened. The system still does not give a 100 percent solution and the proof of this is that a rocket hit a building just meters from here yesterday."
Palestinian militants continue to fire missiles in every direction towards Israel on Sunday, raising the alert level in south Israel to 3 out of 4, just short of wartime deployment.
School was cancelled in major cities in southern Israel after Hamas launched an anti-tank missile at a school bus, critically injuring a teenager.
Ronit, a resident in Kibbutz (collective farm) Mefaltsim, said, "Because we have the Iron Dome system, I think it is encouraging them (Hamas) to fire more rockets."
Elihayu from Sderot was also discouraged by the system, "If Israeli people are still hiding, civilians are injured and even die, this system does not give a full solution to our security."
"I think it is inevitable that the army will enter Gaza to undertake an operation, it is the only real solution," he said.
In contrast, many residents from southern Israel are encouraged by Israel's non-violent approach to the issue.
Sasson from Sderot expressed his satisfaction and excitement about the new system, "I am very satisfied with the new system as it gives about a 90 percent solution to the rocket fire from Gaza, taking out of the equation most of southern Israel's population."
"Although, I support another operation in the Gaza Strip. I think it's necessary," Sasson told Xinhua.
"I feel reassured because although the system does not protect our kibbutz, at least someone is trying to do something for the security of our area for the first time in 10 years," said Reuhama from Nachal Oz, a kibbutz in northwestern Negev.
"The system is better than nothing, and I am very satisfied with the results over the weekend. My children finally feel safe," said Yossef from Ashkelon, where a battery of Iron Dome was deployed last Sunday and has intercepted several projectiles fired by Gaza militants.
Ronen, a resident from a surrounding Gaza Strip community was also satisfied with the system, "The Iron Dome is the best operational solution that we have ever had. But the fact that we need to use it shows that Israel and the Palestinians haven't worked a solution out to live together in peace in this part of the world."
Related:
BEER SHEVA, Israel, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday deployed for the first time the Iron Dome anti-rocket system amid a sharp escalation of violence along the Gaza border in recent weeks.
The system's first battery was positioned on the northern outskirts of Beer Sheva, a desert city hit by three Grad-type rockets fired by Gaza militants last week. A second battery is slated to be deployed later this week near the coastal city of Ashkelon. Full story
JERUSALEM, April 4 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Air Force (IAF) on Monday began deploying the second battery of the Iron Dome anti- rocket defense system in the southern city of Ashkelon, according to local news service Ynet.
The deployment comes amid a week-long lull in the fighting along Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, which in recent weeks has witnessed Israeli communities and cities targeted by rockets fired by Gaza militants and retaliatory Israeli air strikes. Editor: Xiong Tong (xinhua)
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