Israel's Iron Dome did not fail during Iran's attack, resulting in 40 casualties

By: Iryna Hnatiuk
April 18 2024

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Context

After Iran’s attack on Israel on the night of April 13, misinformation started circulating across social networks. At the time of writing, one such post was shared over 50,000 times, and claimed that the well-known Iron Dome, Israel's air defense system designed to counter armed aerial attacks, failed to fulfil its mission. As a result, the video claims, 40 Israeli residents died.

However, official sources indicate the opposite, stating that the system neutralized 99 percent of the aerial targets and that there were no casualties, and only one person sustained serious injuries.

In fact

More than 300 projectiles – including around 170 drones and over 120 ballistic missiles – were fired toward Israel in the aerial attack overnight, according to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari. According to the Israeli military, Israel’s aerial defence systems and its allies intercepted 99 percent of them. 

A few ballistic missiles that reached Israel fell on the airbase in the south of Israel, causing light structural damage, Hagari said. He added that the base is functioning and continuing its operations following the attack, with planes continuing to use the base. Hagari called the outcome "a very significant strategic success."

The Associated Press reported that U.S. President Joe Biden told Netanyahu he should consider the events of Saturday night a "win" as Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful and instead demonstrated Israel’s "remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks." 

Biden also said that U.S. forces helped Israel down "nearly all" the drones and missiles and pledged to convene allies to develop a unified response.

A senior U.S. military official told CNN that the U.S. assessed "there’s no significant damage within Israel itself."

The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement on the attack doesn’t report casualties. A 7-year-old girl in a Bedouin Arab town was seriously wounded in a missile strike; police are still investigating the circumstances of her injuries.

The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement on the attack. (Source: Israel FA Ministry/Screenshot)

Two major news outlets from Israel, The Jerusalem Post and The Times of Israel, also did not report casualties.

The verdict 

The claim that the Iron Dome system failed to handle an air attack from Iran, resulting in the death of 40 Israelis, is unfounded. The IDF called the air defense operation successful, and this was confirmed by official U.S. representatives, including President Biden. Credible reports and statements on the attack don’t include information about casualties. Accordingly, we have labeled this claim as false.