Israel's first line of defense, a missile defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, is labeled the Iron Dome. It was first deployed in 2011, and has since rebuffed and destroyed rockets from Hamas militants and Palestinian forces.

The Iron Dome is land-based and built to keep the citizens of Israel safe from barrages of rockets deployed most often from the Gaza Strip by Iranian-backed terrorists, Hamas. The system is capable of tackling missiles with ranges between 2.5 miles and about 43 miles.

ISRAEL SUCCESSFULLY TESTS SEA-BASED MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM

Israel’s shield uses radar to track an incoming threat, like a missile or artillery shell, and relays the data and target coordinates to a missile firing unit. Interceptor Tamir missiles are fired at the enemy’s projectile to eliminate the threat.

In the past, the Iron Dome has been 90% effective in intercepting thousands of rockets fired from Hamas terrorists, according to Israeli officials. The defense system was integral to Israel's defense during conflict with Gaza in 2012 and 2014. 

In December 2020, Israel's defense ministry reported that they tested sea-based aerial defense systems over a span of a few weeks and all tests were successfully intercepted by Israel's multi-tier defense systems – the Iron Dome, Arrow and David's Sling.

David's Sling, or "Magic Wand" is the secondary layer of protection and a complete air defense system also developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to combat ballistic missiles and medium-range rocket attacks.

ISRAEL OFFICIALLY UNVEILS DAVID'S SLING MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM

The Arrow is the third layer of protection and an anti-missile defense system – the most advanced of its kind. It is used to combat long-range missile strikes. The U.S. has invested in the Iron Dome, David's Sling and the Arrow and has provided finances for the restocking of the defense systems.

In 2021, bipartisan House lawmakers doubled down on America's support for Israel following a deadly conflict with Hamas. The battle lasted 11 days in May 2021, and resulted in the deaths of 250 Palestinians and 10 Israelis.

Both Democrats and Republicans wrote to now retired Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in June 2021 urging the Pentagon to work with Congress to restock Israel's supply of interceptors for the Iron Dome.

A total of 55 lawmakers signed the letter in support.

The letter read, "We must ensure that the Iron Dome remains able to protect Israel without running the risk that its stockpile of interceptors becomes depleted. Israel must always have the resources it needs to defend itself from incoming rockets when it is targeted again."

The United States began providing funding for the Iron Dome in 2011 and 55% of the system’s components are currently manufactured in the U.S., according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Israel is the unrivaled recipient of U.S. military assistance, totaling over $3 billion each year. For the Iron Dome alone, the U.S. volunteered $1.6 billion for the Iron Dome from 2011-2021.

In June 2022, a U.S. company, JustAnswer, launched aid for Ukraine to build a modernized missile defense system, much like the Iron Dome, to prevent Russian rockets from striking civilians. The missile system "Sky Project" intends to create a mobile, all-weather air defense system designed to intercept and destroy rockets and artillery shells.

Hamas is a group of Iranian-backed terrorists. The group is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the State Department. According to the U.S., E.U. and Israel, it has maintained an iron-clad grip on Gaza since violently taking over the territory in 2007, after Israel unilaterally withdrew in 2005.

On December 14, 2022, Yahya Sinwar, leader of the Hamas terror group, and others celebrated the 35th anniversary of Hamas' founding at the Gaza Strip.

The militant Islamist group, which receives funding and training from Iran, imposes a strict Islamic code on its two million plus residents and continues to engage in fighting Israel, including firing endless rounds of rockets and incendiary devices into Israeli territory, as well as mass protests along the border fence.

ISRAEL'S MILITARY SAYS FORCE IS ‘AT WAR’ WITH HAMAS AS IDF HITS BACK AT TERROR TARGETS

On the morning of October 7, the Hamas terror organization attacked and infiltrated areas of southern Israel with thousands of rockets launched from the Gaza Strip. As a result, at least 600 are dead in Israel.

Mohammad Deif, senior Hamas military commander, announced "Operation Al-Aqsa Storm" and called on Palestinians from Jerusalem to Israel to attack Israelis. In a broadcast on Hamas media, he called the assault "the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth."

"Wherever there are Hamas terrorists, they will be found and eliminated. They have no immunity," said Israel Defense Forces' spokesperson Daniel Hagari on October 7. "We are also striking high-profile targets."

ISRAEL AT WAR: SEE THE PHOTOS, VIDEO OF THE ATTACK AND AFTERMATH

The White House said it "unequivocally condemns" the Hamas attacks in Israel, stressing there is "never any justification for terrorism," according to National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson.

Hamas terrorists released videos of their militants kidnapping women, children and the elderly and desecrating dead bodies on their social media. Seth Frantzman, a correspondent for The Jerusalem Post and an analyst on Middle East affairs, told Fox News Digital in an interview on Sunday that the videos are shocking but that Hamas "has engaged in 30 years of grotesque terrorism and is a vicious brutal terrorist organization."