The Iron Dome's battery in Ashkelon intercepted as many as four rockets. The IAF struck Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip

The Iron Dome system deployed in the Israeli city of Be'er Sheba, for the first time successfully intercepted two Grad rockets launched toward the city. The second battery, deployed in Ashkelon, successfully intercepted four rockets fired from the Gaza Strip. Over the course of Friday night (Apr. 9), rockets and mortar shells continued to be fired toward communities surrounding the Gaza Strip, most of them landing in open areas.

The IDF wishes to stress that this new air force system, the Iron Dome, is currently deployed in cities and intercepts rockets with its own missiles only if those rockets are aimed at populated areas.

The IAF has continued striking terror sites in the Gaza Strip, one of its aircrafts targeting a vehicle in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday night holding three Hamas operatives. Other sites were also targeted over the past 24 hours, all activities joint efforts between the IDF and the Israel Security Agency.

Source: 09.04.2011 [IDF]

Photo: The Iron Dome system deployed in the Israeli city of Be'er Sheba, for the first time, successfully intercepted two Grad rockets launched toward the city. (courtesy of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems)