Usa: 1bn allocation for Israel's Iron Dome approved

The US House approved with 420 votes in favor and nine against the provision that allocates one billion dollars for Israel's Iron Dome defense system. Democrats Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib voted against, while the leader of the free 'Squad' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez simply said 'present'.

The missile defense system is critical to Israel especially when massively attacked by Hamas artillery. During the latest tension with Palestine, at least 90% of the rockets were stopped by the Iron Dome, according to the Israeli military, a system built by Israeli defense companies and financed and developed together with the United States. 

"The number of Israelis killed and injured would be much higher if it weren't for the Iron Dome system, which was a lifesaver as always"IDF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said at the time. 

Iron Dome was designed to shoot down rudimentary and short-range missiles and was first used 10 years ago to intercept missiles launched by Hamas from Gaza. 

Its development was accelerated after the one-month war with Hezbollah and with Hamas three years later. 

Justin Bronk, a researcher at the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies, said much of his success is due to a sophisticated radar system that allows the Iron Dome to quickly determine which incoming rockets are likely to hit built-up areas. determine which ones will fall into uninhabited areas.

Iron Dome is deployed in 10 batteries across the country, each capable of firing up to 800 missiles at incoming threats. Because it is designed for short-range and slower rockets, the missiles it uses are relatively small and inexpensive compared to those used in other air defenses, such as the US Patriot system.

The Obama administration has already increased US funding by $ 1,5 billion for the Iron Dome to show support for Israel but also with the intent of preventing the escalation of conflicts. 

The Financial Times reports an analysis of  Ulrike Franke, a representative to the European Council for Foreign Relations. Ulrike underlines "political importance"Dell 'Iron Dome. "It allowed the Israelis to continue a somewhat normal life while under attack. It gives the government some leeway; if Hamas attacks killed hundreds of Israeli civilians, the Israeli government would be forced to intervene decisively with a ground operation. With the protection of the Iron Dome, the government has more freedom to maneuver. However, on the other hand, it also gives the government the freedom not to try to find a peaceful solution, as it can sustain the attacks without significant harm. 

The Israeli army and intelligence, however, were surprised by Hamas' massive missile campaign during the recent Hamas "strike". In all this there is a risk, that of engaging the Israeli air defenses for too long in the face of the persistent threat of Hezbollah which has a larger and much more sophisticated supply of missiles than Palestinian activists. Hezbollah it has an arsenal of over 100.000 missiles and is much better equipped to fire sustained bursts in large numbers. Many of its rockets are now equipped with Iranian guidance devices, certainly more accurate than before. 

This is most likely the Achilles' heel of the Iron Dome system. An offensive campaign by Hamas and Hezbollah carried out together is not necessarily likely to be effectively supported by Israeli air defenses.

Usa: 1bn allocation for Israel's Iron Dome approved

| EVIDENCE 3, MONDO |