Full Breakdown
Iron Dome Achieves Near-99% Interception Rate Amid Ongoing Rocket and Missile Threats
5/11/2026, 11:08:03 PM
Iron Dome’s Near-99% Interception Success in Recent Conflicts
Israel's Iron Dome missile-defence system has intercepted roughly 98-99% of incoming rockets and missiles, according to Yuval Steinitz, chairman of state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. He spoke at a Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs conference on May 11.
Escalation Since the October 2023 Hamas Raid
The October 2023 Hamas assault on Israel triggered sustained hostilities. Since then, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have launched roughly 40,000 rockets toward Israel. Iran has conducted two waves of ballistic missile attacks since 2024, firing about 1,500 missiles.
Rocket and Missile Volumes and Interception Rates
Steinitz reported that Iron Dome intercepted most of the 40,000 rockets, with a success rate he described as “around 98%, even 99%.” He said only “several dozens” of the 1,500 Iranian missiles evaded interception. He noted the system has not faced a shortage of interceptors.
Official Statements & Responses
Steinitz highlighted the system’s reliance on U.S. financing, stating that without American funding Israel’s economy would be “totally paralysed,” forcing workplaces and schools to close and military bases to cease operating. He warned that without Iron Dome there would be “bloodshed in all our major cities” and the death of “several thousands of Israeli civilians.” Steinitz, a former intelligence and strategy minister, argued that any future U.S.–Iran nuclear deal must include a uranium enrichment limit of at least 20 years and a Tehran commitment not to develop chemical or biological weapons.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Iron Dome intercepted most of them with success rates that (are) not 100% but close to 100%. It's around 98%, even 99%, so it's not perfect, but almost,” — Yuval Steinitz, Chairman, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
- “We would (also) have bloodshed in all our major cities... several thousands of Israeli civilians would be killed without Iron Dome,” — Yuval Steinitz
- “only several dozens” were not intercepted. — Yuval Steinitz
- “not to develop other kinds of weapon of mass destruction - chemical and biological weapons” — Yuval Steinitz
- “totally paralysed” — Yuval Steinitz (referring to Israel’s economy without U.S.-funded Iron Dome)
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The three source excerpts convey consistent quantitative claims but differ slightly in wording: one describes the missiles that evaded interception as “only several dozens,” while another uses “only a few dozen.” No independent verification of the 98-99% success rate is provided, and the reports lack perspectives from Israeli defense officials beyond Rafael’s chairman.
