US Think Tank: Iron Dome Incapable of Protecting Tel Aviv, Jerusalem

A US think tank acknowledged that the recent Israeli war on the Gaza Strip was an opportunity for the Palestinian resistance movements to show the incapability of Iron Dome in protecting Tel Aviv and Occupied Quds (also known as Beitol-Moghaddas or Jerusalem) from their missile strikes.

Hamas launched long-range missiles at Occupied Quds and Tel Aviv, cities previously immune from such attacks, the Jewish Policy Center wrote.

The last few days have seen the worst fighting between Gaza and Israel since the Arab uprisings swept the region, and the changes those revolutions brought have made their impact, it noted.

Egyptian President Mohammad Mursi called Israeli airstrikes in Gaza “unacceptable” and withdrew Egypt’s ambassador to Israel.

A delegation of Egyptian officials headed by the country’s prime minister also visited Gaza. It was the first time an Egyptian prime minister visited the area.

Indeed, that Israel has lost its ability to deter rockets from Gaza is seemingly a result of the changing Middle East, and notably, a changing Egypt that has only emboldened Palestinian resistance movements. For this reason, even if a ceasefire is struck between Hamas and Israel, it will likely only cover the short-term, it claimed.

On Wednesday, Israel and Hamas agreed on a ceasefire after eight days of intensive war over the Gaza Strip.

Under the deal, the Palestinians and Israelis agreed to end all hostilities against each other.

The ceasefire was implemented after Israel launched a deadly offensive on the blockaded Gaza Strip on November 14, which killed more than 165 Palestinians and injured some 1,269 others.

In retaliation, Palestinian resistance fighters fired rockets and missiles into the Israeli cities.