In Pics: Iron Dome shields Israel by intercepting Hamas rockets fired from Gaza

Israel launched new airstrikes against the Gaza Strip, and the Islamic Hamas movement, unleashing fresh rocket attacks against the Jewish state, in one of the worst escalations between the two sides in recent years. Israel's cities have been fortunate as thousands of Hamas rockets fired from Gaza were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system. The heaviest offensive between Israel and Hamas since a 2014 war in the Hamas-ruled enclave has also increased international concern that the situation could spiral out of control.

Israel’s much-vaunted Iron Dome missile defence system is intercepting a barrage of rockets fired by Hamas and other Palestinian militants from Gaza as bloody clashes escalate. Credit: Reuters

According to the Jewish state’s army, 200 of the more than 480 rockets which have been fired since May 10 have been shot out of the sky by the system. Credit: Reuters

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system fires interceptor missiles as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, in Gaza. Credit: Reuters

They claim that around 150 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israeli territory exploded inside the Gaza Strip. Credit: Reuters

A streak of light is seen as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel. Credit: Reuters

Each battery has a radar detection and tracking system, a firing control system and three launchers for 20 interceptor missiles. Each has a range of between four and 70 kilometres (2.5 and 44 miles). Credit: AFP

The Israeli-designed Iron Dome system is meant to protect populated areas and critical assets by neutralising short-range aerial threats. Credit: Reuters

A streak of light is seen as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel. Credit: Reuters

Israel's Iron Dome aerial defence system is activated to intercept a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip, controlled by the Palestinian Hamas movement, above the southern Israeli city of Ashdod. Credit: AFP

An Iron Dome aerial defence system battery is seen in the foreground (L) as fire rages early on May 12, 2021 at Ashkelon's refinery. Credit: AFP

Israel's Iron Dome aerial defence system intercepts a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip, controlled by the Palestinian Hamas movement, above the southern Israeli city of Ashdod. Credit: AFP

Israel's Iron Dome aerial defence system is activated to intercept a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip, controlled by the Palestinian Hamas movement, above the southern Israeli city of Ashdod. Credit: AFP

Streaks of light are seen as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. Credit: Reuters