26.07.2011                      24.Tammus, 5771

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Senior IDF officer: Iron Dome averted Israeli offensive on Gaza

IAF colonel says deployment of the missile defense system this year allowed Israeli leaders to have more options when dealing with the cross-border escalation with Gaza in April.

A senior officer in the Israel Air Force said Monday that the recent stationing of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system in southern Israel spared the Israel Defense Forces from launching an offensive operation in Gaza last April during the cross-border escalation with Hamas.
Colonel Shahar Shohat said Iron Dome's success in intercepting rockets fired from Gaza toward Be'er Sheva and Ashkelon allowed Israeli leaders to have a broader decision space and ultimately decide not to launch another offensive such as Operation Cast Lead in 2009….