Israel-Iran War
The effectiveness of Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system has reportedly dropped to just 65%, according to a senior Israeli intelligence official, as the country faces sustained ballistic missile attacks from Iran and its proxies. The revelation comes after an Iranian ballistic missile struck a residential complex in the southern city of Beer Sheva, causing major damage and several injuries. Israeli media outlets report that the failure was due to a malfunction in the country’s layered air defense systems, which include the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems.
The strike marks one of the most direct hits on Israeli territory since the latest conflict between Israel and Iran began escalating earlier this year, following Iran’s growing military presence in Syria and Lebanon and retaliatory Israeli airstrikes across the region. The broader war, once confined to shadow operations and proxy battles, has erupted into open confrontation, with Iran launching dozens of missile and drone strikes directly at Israeli cities, military facilities, and infrastructure targets.
War Escalates Between Israel and Iran
The war between Israel and Iran, which has expanded far beyond its initial flashpoints, has engulfed the region in a dangerous spiral of attacks and counterattacks. Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and militias in Iraq and Syria have opened multiple fronts, while Iran has directly launched ballistic missiles and long-range drones at Israeli targets. Israel, in turn, has stepped up its military operations deep inside Iranian territory, targeting nuclear facilities, missile bases, and command centers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the latest missile strike in Beer Sheva “a grave escalation” and warned that “any attack on our cities will be met with overwhelming and sustained force.” The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched airstrikes in response, targeting IRGC assets in Syria and Western Iran. Reports suggest that at least 17 people were killed in Israeli air raids overnight.
Iron Dome Under Pressure
The Iron Dome, once heralded as a revolutionary defense system with over 90% success rates against incoming projectiles, has shown signs of strain under the volume and sophistication of recent Iranian attacks. According to a senior IDF intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the system’s interception rate in the current conflict has dropped to approximately 65%. He attributed the decline to several factors, including:
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Saturation attacks: Iran is launching large numbers of missiles simultaneously, overwhelming the system’s capacity.
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Precision-guided munitions: Many of the missiles are equipped with advanced guidance systems, making them harder to intercept.
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Electronic warfare: Israeli officials believe Iran is using electronic countermeasures to disrupt the Iron Dome’s radar and communication systems.
“This is not the same kind of threat Iron Dome was originally built to face,” said the official. “We are now in a multi-front, high-intensity war with a nation-state that has long-range ballistic and cruise missile capabilities.”
Civilian Impact and Global Response
The strike on Beer Sheva injured at least 12 people and left dozens more displaced. Emergency responders worked through the night to search for survivors under the rubble of collapsed buildings. The attack has sent shockwaves across Israeli society, prompting renewed calls for international support and an urgent review of the country’s defense infrastructure.
The United States has reaffirmed its support for Israel, with President Joe Biden stating, “Israel has every right to defend itself against these dangerous and reckless attacks.” The Pentagon announced it will expedite delivery of additional interceptors and anti-missile systems to bolster Israel’s defenses.
Meanwhile, global powers are calling for de-escalation, warning that the regional war risks triggering a wider conflagration involving Gulf states, NATO members, and Russia.
Looking Ahead
As the war intensifies, both nations show little willingness to back down. Israel has vowed to “neutralize” Iran’s long-range strike capabilities, while Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has promised “severe punishment” for what he calls Zionist aggression.
With the Iron Dome no longer offering the near-impenetrable shield it once did, Israel faces a growing strategic and humanitarian crisis. Officials say the country is now rushing to upgrade its missile defense network, deploy additional Patriot and Arrow batteries, and develop countermeasures to deal with next-generation threats.
For now, Israelis brace for what could be a long and dangerous conflict — one with no clear end in sight.
