Israel's Iron Dome intercepts two missiles

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BEIT EL, Israel, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Israel's Iron Dome defense system successfully intercepted two missiles fired at Tel Aviv.

Israel's Iron Dome missile shield was begun following the 2006 conflict Israel fought with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. During the campaign Hezbollah launched thousands of rockets, causing huge damage and killing dozens of Israelis.

In 2007 Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz announced the state-run defense firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems would develop a new missile defense shield, with Iron Dome becoming operational in 2011.

Iron Dome was deployed in April 2011, downing a missile fired at the southern city of Beersheba. The Israeli military said Saturday evening Iron Dome had intercepted 245 rockets from Gaza during the previous three days, with roughly 90 percent of the attempted interceptions being successful, Arutz Sheva radio reported.

Each Iron Dome anti-missile battery costs about $50 million to install and the Israeli military has five operational batteries, with eight others to come online next year.