IDF deploys Iron Dome battery in central Israel

The exercise is an indication of military preparations for additional fighting with Gazan terror organizations.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Iron Dome 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Iron Dome 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The army recently stationed a battery of the Iron Dome system in the Dan region, as part of an aerial defense exercise against a simulated rocket attack on greater Tel Aviv.
The IDF emphasized that the drill is not operational and does not involve the firing of interception rockets, but is merely a technical test planned in advance, aimed at practicing rapid deployment of the system.
Nevertheless, the exercise is an indication of preparations by the military for additional confrontations with Gazan terrorist organizations.
During future fighting, Gazans will likely fire longer-range rockets into the central region, security forces believe.
“The Iron Dome is in the process of being integrated operationally,” the IDF Spokesman’s Office said.
“From time to time, it is deployed in various sites around the country. During these days... it is being stationed in Gush Dan,” the office added.
On Sunday, a senior police commander told The Jerusalem Post that police were preparing for the possibility of rockets hitting places that had previously been out of range of the Gaza Strip.
“We assume that in the next round, some rockets will fall in central Israel,” Cmdr. Bentsi Sao, head of the central district, said.
A couple of rockets slammed into the central district during the most recent round of escalation earlier this month, and security forces expect more to be fired deep into Israel in any future fighting.