Israel is facing the prospect of a shortage in its stockpile of missile and rocket interceptors, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, and as it braces for a possible escalation with Iran, a British report stated on Tuesday.

According to former military officials and experts, the Financial Times reported that the United States is helping Israel address this challenge, particularly through the provision of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system. However, Israel may soon be forced to make difficult decisions regarding which threats to prioritize for defense.

Dana Stroul, a former US defense official, remarked, “Israel’s munitions issue is serious.” She further warned, “If Iran responds to an Israel attack, and Hezbollah joins in too, Israel’s air defenses will be stretched.” Stroul also noted that the supply of defense systems was not infinite and pointed out that the US may struggle to maintain its pace of support for both Israel and Ukraine.

Boaz Levy, CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries, which manufactures missile interceptors, emphasized that, “Some of our lines are working 24 hours, seven days a week. Our goal is to meet all our obligations.”

Israel’s defense infrastructure is designed with several layers, including the Iron Dome, which targets short-range missiles; David’s Sling, designed to intercept medium-range missiles; and the Arrow system, which is responsible for shooting down long-range ballistic missiles.

Since Hamas initiated the current war with its attack on October 7, over 20,000 rockets and missiles have been launched at Israel from Gaza and Lebanon, according to military sources. The country’s air defense systems have successfully intercepted the majority of the projectiles heading toward populated areas.

Israel has successfully repelled two missile attacks from Iran—one in April and another in October, when 180 ballistic missiles were fired at the country—thanks to support from the US and its regional allies. In response, Israel has promised to retaliate to the October assault at a time and in a manner of its choosing, which could provoke an even harsher response from Tehran and its allies.

Former IDF general Assaf Orion noted that Israel has not yet faced a full-scale test, as Hezbollah, backed by Iran and based in Lebanon, has not used its full military capacity. “It has only been firing at around a tenth of its estimated prewar launching capacity, a few hundred rockets a day instead of as many as 2,000,” Orion said. “Some of that gap is a choice by Hezbollah not to go full out, and some of it is due to degradation by the IDF… But Hezbollah has enough left to mount a strong operation.”

Since Hamas’ attack, Hezbollah has also faced a series of severe setbacks, including the destruction of thousands of operatives’ communications devices in an Israeli attack and Israeli airstrikes that severely damaged the group’s leadership. Earlier this month, Israel launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon to push Hezbollah away from the border, neutralize its weaponry and infrastructure, and prevent another invasion akin to the one Hamas launched from Gaza last year.

{Matzav.com Israel}