Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel’s military, preparing for attacks from Lebanon or
Syria, has deployed a third missile and rocket defense system in the north.

The Israel Air Force has deployed the Iron Dome battery near the border
with Lebanon. Officials said this marked the third Iron Dome battery
deployed in northern Israel in less than two weeks.

“These assets are needed where the chances of major missile strikes are the highest,” an official said.

The Iron Dome batteries were deployed in wake of a reported Israeli
strike on military facilities in Syria on Jan. 30. Batteries have been
stationed around Haifa as well as in the Upper Galilee area near Lebanon, where the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah deploys a reported 60,000 missiles and rockets.

“This does not signal precise information of an expected missile attack
on Israel, but amid reports of an Israeli attack in Syria and the threats
being heard in Lebanon and Iran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is not taking any chances,” Israel Army radio said.

Officials said the three batteries were moved from southern Israel,
where they helped intercept missiles and rockets fired from the Gaza Strip during the mini-war with Hamas in November 2012. They said the ceasefire with Hamas has allowed the redeployment of Iron Dome to defend against any
threat by Hizbullah or Syria.

The Air Force has been operating five Iron Dome batteries, the latest an
enhancement in interception range and detection. Iron Dome prime contractor
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has been assembling three additional
batteries, expected to be ready for deployment by April.

  Haifa, Hizbullah, Israel Defense Forces, Israel deploys 3rd Iron Dome in north following strike on Syria site, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Upper Galilee