The Israel Defense Forces on Monday rejected criticism over the Iron Dome defense system, designed to counter rockets, being triggered by Hamas machine-gun fire, saying that when it comes to protecting the communities in southern Israel the IDF "doesn't take any chances."
Hamas launched a large military exercise in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, which included bombs, rockets and artillery and machine-gun fire. Errant gunfire prompted the Iron Dome batteries in southern Israel to launch 10 interceptors, at a cost of $100,000 each.
The Iron Dome system is designed to be used sparingly, due to the prohibitive cost of its missiles, and normally only intercepts projectiles confirmed to be headed for populated areas.
Once it was ascertained that no rockets had been fired at Israel, the IDF was lambasted for being "wasteful" with Sunday's interceptions.
"The system engaged because it's calibrated to be overly sensitive. This is a direct product of the security situation on the ground," Brig. Gen. Tzvika Haimovich, head of the Air Defense Command, said Monday.
"The interest of protecting the residents of Israel outweighs any dilemma. When something becomes airborne in our direction we consider it a threat. We try not to take any chances and maximize defense – cost considerations don't play a part in military and operational considerations."
Haimovich stressed that Sunday's incident "was no technical malfunction or human error. The troops exercised discretion and professionalism. We will study this incident further."
Another senior officer with the Air Defense Command said the system engaged "as soon as it detected fire from Gaza toward Israel. We operate in a highly complex arena. We have mortar shells, rockets, missiles, machine-gun and artillery fire, and the system engages in response to a trajectory."
"Last night's event provided a five-second reaction time and was potentially harmful to civilians. We will keep minimizing the threats even if it comes with high costs. There is little time for deliberation in situations like these, and made to choose between taking a risk or not, I'd rather not," he said.
