While global media coverage of Operation Guardian of the Walls remains largely focused on the fate of Gazans and the thousands of rockets hitting Israel, many news sites across the world have also dedicated considerable airtime and coverage to the achievements of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system, which has intercepted hundreds of projectiles fired by terrorist groups at the population centers in the Jewish state.
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The reason for the special attention isn't just the system's impressive 90% success rate, but also the unprecedented video footage of dozens of simultaneous mid-air interceptions.
Several prominent news outlets in the US, including the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Fox News and Vox, have all run lengthy articles about the Iron Dome and its accomplishments.
"As Hamas rockets rain on Israel, Iron Dome proves it can withstand the barrages," the Wall Street Journal said in its headline.
The New York Times said in its headline: "Fire and thunder fill the night sky as Israel's Iron Dome is tested."
The Washington Post said critically in a headline that "Israel's Iron Dome defense system protects Israeli lives. It also perpetuates the Israel-Gaza conflict."
The Iron Dome Aerial Defense System has one purpose—to intercept rockets mid-air before they can kill Israeli civilians.
We will not apologize for saving lives. pic.twitter.com/J0U8ct9bCt
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 18, 2021
In other countries, however, the excitement over the system's achievements is painted in a different light.
The Greek City Times, for example, reported that Greek government officials in Athens were considering procuring the missile defense system and that its "purpose demo" during the fighting had reinforced the views of those who want to purchase the system.
With that, however, the widespread coverage of the Iron Dome system has also come with drawbacks, mainly affecting Israel's public relations efforts.
As the system's effectiveness becomes more pronounced, so do claims from within certain circles that its existence negates Israel's justification for carrying out airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, which they argue are disproportionate to the threat.
Last Week Tonight host John Oliver and Trevor Noah, the host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, were among those to voice this point of view.
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