Israel's Iron Dome air defence system has intercepted thousands of rockets since it first went into operation in 2011, providing the country with crucial cover during times of conflict. It has been heavily relied upon to protect military and civilian sites from frequent barrages of rockets fired from Gaza and Lebanon in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Israel's air defences were also in operation on Saturday night, after Iran launched more than 200 drones and missiles in an unprecedented attack on Israeli territory. Israel initially developed the Iron Dome alone after the 2006 Lebanon War, and was later joined by the United States, which has provided its defence know-how and billions in bipartisan financial support for the program. Vishnu Som explains.
