World: Israel’s much-vaunted Iron Dome will not be able to withstand a Hezbollah war

World: In the event of a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed terror group could potentially impact Israel’s air defenses, including the highly respected Iron Dome system, according to three US officials who spoke to CNN. The warning comes as Israel prepares for a potential ground and air incursion into Lebanon. The Iron Dome missile defense system, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries with US support, has been the cornerstone of Israel’s air defense since its introduction in 2011. In October last year

Iron Dome played a key role in dealing with a barrage of missiles from Palestinian militant group Hamas. However, Iron Dome is primarily designed for low-altitude, slow-moving projectiles. This makes it potentially vulnerable to more sophisticated, precision-guided weapons that Hezbollah has been stockpiling from Iran for years. US officials worry that Hezbollah’s vast arsenal of missiles and drones could pose a major challenge to Iron Dome. Iron Dome is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets, mortars and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 to 70 kilometers. The system has a remarkable track record, having successfully intercepted more than 5,000 projectiles, including rockets, mortars, artillery shells, aircraft, helicopters and UAVs. However, a senior US administration official told CNN, “Our assessment is that (in the event of a war with Hezbollah) at least some Iron Dome batteries would be overwhelmed.” An Israeli official said this outcome would be more likely if Hezbollah launched a large-scale attack using precision-guided weapons.

The fears are not unfounded. Earlier this month, Hezbollah released a video that purportedly showed a drone attacking and damaging an Iron Dome battery in northern Israel. Although the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported no damage, the incident has raised concerns about the system’s vulnerability, particularly in northern Israel. In preparation for a potential conflict with Hezbollah, Israeli officials have urged the U.S.

Israel has reported plans to shift resources from southern Gaza to northern Israel. This strategic repositioning underscores the seriousness of the threat posed by Hezbollah, which has an arsenal of about 150,000 rockets and missiles, including thousands of precision munitions. Diplomatic efforts and regional implications The prospect of a wider conflict has prompted diplomatic efforts aimed at defusing tensions. US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein has been actively involved in advocating for a ceasefire and negotiating parallel diplomatic deals between Israel and Hezbollah. However, since the Gaza War began in October 2023, Hezbollah has launched rockets and drones in solidarity with Hamas, with cross-border attacks increasing. US officials are particularly concerned about the wider regional implications of a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The involvement of other Iran-backed proxy groups and the safety of US troops in the Middle East are other concerns. There are questions about the willingness of other regional players to support Israel if Israel starts a larger conflict. Both Israel and Hezbollah have stepped up their rhetoric. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has warned that in the event of war, “no rules and no limits” would apply to Hezbollah’s response. He also threatened that if Israel uses its bases to attack Lebanon, targets in the eastern Mediterranean, including Cyprus, could be at risk. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also issued a stern warning, saying that Israel would “turn Beirut into Gaza” if war breaks out. Despite these threats, analysts believe that neither side is eager for a full-blown war, as they realize the grave danger and potential for regional instability.

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