Iron Dome
Iron DomeReuters

The IDF has deployed two Iron Dome batteries in the Ashdod and Netivot areas of southern Israel, following the rocket fire on Israel this past week.

A third battery was also deployed in Ashkelon, Channel 10 News reported on Friday.

On Wednesday evening, two rockets from Gaza exploded in the Sdot Negev region. There were no physical injuries or damages.

Wednesday’s attack came just one week after terrorists from Gaza fired a Grad rocket towards southern Israel. The rocket exploded near the community of Gan Yavneh, near Ashdod. There were no injuries.

The Iron Dome, which is designed to intercept rockets that are fired towards populated area, has proven very effective and its success rate was listed as 90% in 2012.

The system uses radar, advanced tracking technology and anti-missile batteries to follow the trajectory of an incoming rocket or mortar and determine if it is headed for a major population center. If an urban area is threatened, interceptors are fired to detonate in the air in close proximity to the missile. Projectiles not posing a threat are allowed to fall in empty fields.

The system targets short-range rockets with a range between 2 miles and 45 miles; interceptors cost as much $100,000 apiece.

Last year, President Barack Obama signed a bill granting an additional $225 million in taxpayer dollars for the Iron Dome.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)