Iron Dome anti-missile system
Iron Dome anti-missile systemFlash 90

As rocket fire from Gaza continues, the defense establishment received a reinforcement on Friday in the form of an additional Iron Dome anti-missile battery.

The new battery, the eighth one to be acquired by the IDF, was given to the Israel Air Force on Friday afternoon. The battery became operational in the evening hours and will improve Israel’s ability to defend residents from rocket attacks.

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.

Earlier Friday, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon met with the heads of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israel Aerospace Industries, which developed the Iron Dome.

"I want to thank and express great appreciation for the activity of the Iron Dome system. The system has had outstanding achievements, which first and foremost are saving lives, giving us broad choices in the battle against Hamas and are sending a message to the countries and organizations around us who hoard massive amounts of missiles and rockets. The impressive performance of the Iron Dome system are of strategic significance for the state of Israel, its defense and the security of its citizens," said Ya'alon.

The system was in action again on Friday evening, intercepting rockets that were fired towards Tel Aviv on two separate occasions.

(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.)