What is the IDF? The powerful military of the State of Israel on land, in the air and sea
Fox News
"The purpose of the IDF is to preserve the State of Israel, to protect its independence, and to foil attempts by its enemies to disrupt the normal life within it," says the IDF's website.
Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists attacked Israel with barrages of rockets, killing at least 800 people and wounding at least 2,000, beginning the morning of October 7. Thousands of rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip in a surprise ambush and Palestinians everywhere were called to attack Israelis by a senior Hamas military commander, Mohammad Deif. The IDF claimed to have blocked many rockets with the Iron Dome, Israel's missile defense system. Gabriele Regalbuto is an SEO editor at Fox News Digital. Gabriele has a Journalism and Communications degree from West Virginia University. She has worked to produce content for newspapers, magazines, and digital platforms. At Fox, she has assisted in coverage of breaking news events including the 2024 presidential cycle, 2022 midterm elections, Queen Elizabeth II's death, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The Iron Dome is the Israeli military's first line of defense, but not the last. David's Sling is the secondary line of defense, and the Arrow is the third. All three systems are designed to combat missiles and rockets at various distances.
The Iron Dome has warded off thousands of rockets and missiles and Israeli officials have reported 90% effectiveness against violent floods of mechanical weaponry.