JERUSALEM – Israel's Defense Ministry says it has successfully tested a high-tech system designed to intercept incoming rockets.
A ministry statement says the Iron Dome system successfully dealt with incoming rockets of the types fired by Palestinian and Lebanese militants in tests this week, terming the test a "milestone."
The statement stopped short of saying the system shot rockets down with an interceptor missile. Defense officials said Friday the system will likely be ready by the 2010 target date for deployment.
The system fires missiles that home in on incoming short and medium-range rockets of the type used by militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
Israel is spending more than $200 million on the system.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox