Israel deploys fourth Iron Dome near Gaza

Israeli sources yesterday announced that the Israeli army had deployed the fourth Iron Dome Rocket Defence System, fearing a deterioration of the security situation in Gaza, the Anadolu Agency reported.

The other systems were already in place in Ashdod, Ashkelon and Netivot as three homemade rockets were fired from Gaza during the last week.

Several Israeli officials, including Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon, warned that Israel would never tolerate sporadic rocket attacks.

Ya’alon said: “Israel holds Hamas responsible for all firing from Gaza at our territory.” He hoped that the world would remain silent “when we use our full strength to uphold our right to defend ourselves.”

Israel waged three wars against Gaza since 2008, it said that these were attempts to defend itself.

“Let it be clear: The spreading hypocrisy in the world will not tie our hands and prevent us from protecting Israel’s citizens,” he said. “Thus we have acted; thus we will act,” the Israeli minister insisted.