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ISRAEL + RUSSIA

Over the last nine days, thousands of rockets have been fired from Gaza towards Israeli territory. And every day they've been met by missiles from Israel's Iron Dome defense system.

"The Iron Dome Aerial Defense System has one purpose -- to intercept rockets mid-air before they can kill Israeli civilians. We will not apologize for saving lives," the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) tweeted on Tuesday.
The Israeli military says those missiles intercept more than 90% of the rockets targeted. But the Iron Dome doesn't chase down every rocket. In fact, according to official IDF data, the system has destroyed fewer than half the rockets and mortars fired by Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
As of late Sunday, the Israeli Air Force said that approximately 3,100 rockets had been fired from Gaza since the start of the latest conflict, just over a week ago. About 450 had fallen short and failed to penetrate Israel. Of the remaining 2,650, about 1,210 had been intercepted.
Tensions between Israel and Palestinians are sky-high. Here's what you need to know
Tensions between Israel and Palestinians are sky-high. Here's what you need to know Given the sheer volume of rockets fired from Gaza, frequently in intense barrages, the Iron Dome "decides" which pose the greatest threat to urban areas and infrastructure, ignoring those whose trajectory indicates they are likely to hit unpopulated areas or the sea. The IDF assess that there were 13,000 to 14,000 rockets in Gaza before this escalation began -- so selective targeting would seem critical. Some do, of course, get through. At a United Nations Security Council session on Sunday, Tor Wennesland, the UN's Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process, noted that rockets had reached "as far as the outskirts of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and its suburbs and Ben Gurion airport."
"Direct hits have been reported in multiple locations, causing damage to residential and commercial property, as well as schools and a crude oil pipeline," Wennesland said.

A streak of light is seen from Ashkelon as Iron Dome intercepts rockets launched from Gaza towards Israel on May 11.

So far, militant fire has been responsible for at least 12 deaths inside Israel.

The Iron Dome, developed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the American company Raytheon, became operational 10 years ago. It comprises radar to detect the rockets; a command-and-control system that analyzes data provided by the radar; and the air-defense missiles that are then directed to intercept. Each missile costs about $40,000, so intercepting 1,200 incoming rockets is a very expensive proposition.
Whereas a lot of air defense systems are designed to counter ballistic missiles, the Iron Dome targets unguided rockets that remain at low altitudes. The system is effective up to a range of 70 kilometers (about 43 miles). At the same time, the Israeli military tries to locate and destroy the launchers within Gaza, many of which are mobile, and the rocket factories that make them. Each battery has a firing-control radar to identify targets. It also has a portable missile launcher. The system is easily transportable, with just a few hours needed to relocate and set up.
Israeli soldiers fire a self-propelled howitzer toward Gaza from their position near the southern Israeli city of Sderot on May 13.
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Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian man outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 13.
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A man checks damage following a rocket attack in the central Israeli city of Petah Tikva on May 13.
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Muslims perform the morning Eid al-Fitr prayer, marking the end of the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2021/04/13/world/gallery/ramadan-2021/index.html" target="_blank">holy fasting month of Ramadan,</a> in the Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on May 13.
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A passenger rolls his luggage at the nearly deserted Ben Gurion airport in Lod, Israel, on May 13. Global airlines were <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/13/business/airlines-canceled-flights-israel/index.html" target="_blank">canceling flights to Israel</a> as clashes intensified between the country's military and Palestinian militants.
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Mourners surround the body of Lea Yom Tov, an Israeli woman killed by a rocket attack from Gaza, during her funeral in Rishon LeZion, Israel, on Wednesday, May 12.
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Torah scrolls, Jewish holy scriptures, are removed from a synagogue that was burned during confrontations between demonstrators and police in Lod, Israel, on May 12.
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An aerial view on May 12 shows the remains of a Gaza City tower building that was destroyed in Israeli airstrikes.
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An Israeli firefighter extinguishes a burning bus in Holon, Israel, after it was hit by a rocket fired from Gaza on May 11.
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A stun grenade fired by Israeli forces explodes as Palestinians take part in an anti-Israel protest in Hebron, West Bank, on May 11.
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A streak of light is seen from Ashkelon, Israel, as Israel's Iron Dome system intercepts rockets launched from Gaza on May 11.
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Palestinians inspect the rubble of the destroyed Hanadi tower after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on May 11.
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A damaged house is pictured in a residential neighborhood in Ashkelon, Israel, on May 11, after rockets were fired from Gaza.
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Palestinian children inspect a damaged bedroom following an Israeli airstrike at Gaza City's al-Shati Refugee Camp on May 11.
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Israeli firefighters take cover in Ashkelon as a siren warns of incoming rockets on May 11.
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Palestinians search for survivors under the rubble of a destroyed rooftop after a residential building was hit by Israeli airstrikes at the Shate refugee camp in Gaza City on May 11.
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The mother of Palestinian Hussain Hamad, 11, is comforted by mourners during his funeral in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, on May 11. The boy was killed during fire between Israel and Gaza.
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An Israeli soldier checks a damaged apartment building in Ashkelon on May 11.
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Flames and smoke rise from buildings in southern Gaza during Israeli airstrikes on May 11.
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Israeli rescue teams help residents of an Ashkelon neighborhood on May 11.
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Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces at the Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10.
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Israelis take part in the annual Jerusalem Day march on May 10, marking the reunification of Jerusalem after Israel captured the eastern part of the city from Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War.
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Palestinians are seen at the Aqsa Mosque compound during confrontations with Israeli police on May 10.
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Israeli police detain a Palestinian during clashes at the Aqsa Mosque on May 10.
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A Palestinian man runs from tear gas during clashes with Israeli security forces at the Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10.
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Explosions are seen over buildings in Gaza City as Israeli forces strike targets early on Tuesday, May 18.
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A woman in Ashdod, Israel, carries her dog and runs for shelter after sirens warned of rockets fired from Gaza. It was near the site where a previous rocket hit.
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Palestinian mourners carry the body of Obaida Jawabreh, who was killed amid clashes with Israeli forces, during his funeral in the West Bank refugee camp of Al-Arrub on May 18.
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An Israeli artillery unit fires toward Gaza on May 18.
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Palestinian firefighters douse a fire at the Foamco mattress factory after an Israeli airstrike east of Jabalia, Gaza, on Monday, May 17.
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A woman reacts inside her kitchen on May 17 after a rocket from Gaza hit her apartment building in Ashdod, Israel.
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Israeli soldiers take cover near the Gaza border as a siren warns them about incoming rockets on May 17.
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Children salvage toys from their home at Gaza City's Al-Jawhara Tower, which was heavily damaged in Israeli airstrikes.
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Palestinian rescuers pull a survivor from the rubble of a building that was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Sunday, May 16.
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This photo shows the scene of an alleged car ramming in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah on May 16. Six were injured; the driver was shot and killed.
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In the background, the Israeli Iron Dome aerial-defense system intercepts rockets fired by Hamas militants toward southern Israel on May 16.
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A ball of fire erupts from the Jala'a Tower, which houses the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and other media offices, as it is <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/15/media/associated-press-al-jazeera-gaza-bombings/index.html" target="_blank">destroyed by an Israeli airstrike</a> in Gaza City on Saturday, May 15.
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Relatives mourn over the bodies of the Abu Khatab family, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike, at the Shifa Hospital morgue in Gaza City on May 15.
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A nurse holds an injured baby at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on May 15. The baby was pulled alive from a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike, which killed 10 members of the child's family.
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Members of the Israeli emergency services work at a site in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, after a rocket fired from Gaza struck the area.
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A siren sounds a warning of incoming rockets as people take cover at a shelter in Ramat Gan, Israel, on May 15.
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Rachel El-Gazar walks inside her damaged house in Sderot, Israel, following rocket fire from Gaza on May 15.
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A Palestinian protester launches flares amid clashes with Israeli soldiers in Hebron, West Bank, on Friday, May 14.
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A Palestinian woman reacts amid the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, on May 14.
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Israeli soldiers prepare an artillery unit in Sderot, Israel, near the border with Gaza on May 14.
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A man in Ashkelon, Israel, views a damaged car and building that was hit by a rocket fired from Gaza.
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Palestinians take shelter in a UN school in Gaza City on Thursday, May 13.
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Julianna Sror views the damage to her apartment on May 13 after it was hit by a rocket in Petah Tikva, Israel.
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A Palestinian walks next to a building destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on May 13.
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Israeli soldiers fire a self-propelled howitzer toward Gaza from their position near the southern Israeli city of Sderot on May 13.
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Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian man outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 13.
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A man checks damage following a rocket attack in the central Israeli city of Petah Tikva on May 13.
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Muslims perform the morning Eid al-Fitr prayer, marking the end of the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2021/04/13/world/gallery/ramadan-2021/index.html" target="_blank">holy fasting month of Ramadan,</a> in the Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on May 13.
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A passenger rolls his luggage at the nearly deserted Ben Gurion airport in Lod, Israel, on May 13. Global airlines were <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/13/business/airlines-canceled-flights-israel/index.html" target="_blank">canceling flights to Israel</a> as clashes intensified between the country's military and Palestinian militants.
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Mourners surround the body of Lea Yom Tov, an Israeli woman killed by a rocket attack from Gaza, during her funeral in Rishon LeZion, Israel, on Wednesday, May 12.
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Torah scrolls, Jewish holy scriptures, are removed from a synagogue that was burned during confrontations between demonstrators and police in Lod, Israel, on May 12.
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An aerial view on May 12 shows the remains of a Gaza City tower building that was destroyed in Israeli airstrikes.
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An Israeli firefighter extinguishes a burning bus in Holon, Israel, after it was hit by a rocket fired from Gaza on May 11.
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A stun grenade fired by Israeli forces explodes as Palestinians take part in an anti-Israel protest in Hebron, West Bank, on May 11.
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A streak of light is seen from Ashkelon, Israel, as Israel's Iron Dome system intercepts rockets launched from Gaza on May 11.
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Palestinians inspect the rubble of the destroyed Hanadi tower after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on May 11.
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A damaged house is pictured in a residential neighborhood in Ashkelon, Israel, on May 11, after rockets were fired from Gaza.
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Palestinian children inspect a damaged bedroom following an Israeli airstrike at Gaza City's al-Shati Refugee Camp on May 11.
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Israeli firefighters take cover in Ashkelon as a siren warns of incoming rockets on May 11.
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Palestinians search for survivors under the rubble of a destroyed rooftop after a residential building was hit by Israeli airstrikes at the Shate refugee camp in Gaza City on May 11.
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The mother of Palestinian Hussain Hamad, 11, is comforted by mourners during his funeral in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, on May 11. The boy was killed during fire between Israel and Gaza.
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An Israeli soldier checks a damaged apartment building in Ashkelon on May 11.
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Flames and smoke rise from buildings in southern Gaza during Israeli airstrikes on May 11.
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Israeli rescue teams help residents of an Ashkelon neighborhood on May 11.
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Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces at the Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10.
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Israelis take part in the annual Jerusalem Day march on May 10, marking the reunification of Jerusalem after Israel captured the eastern part of the city from Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War.
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Palestinians are seen at the Aqsa Mosque compound during confrontations with Israeli police on May 10.
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Israeli police detain a Palestinian during clashes at the Aqsa Mosque on May 10.
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A Palestinian man runs from tear gas during clashes with Israeli security forces at the Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10.
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Explosions are seen over buildings in Gaza City as Israeli forces strike targets early on Tuesday, May 18.
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A woman in Ashdod, Israel, carries her dog and runs for shelter after sirens warned of rockets fired from Gaza. It was near the site where a previous rocket hit.
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Palestinian mourners carry the body of Obaida Jawabreh, who was killed amid clashes with Israeli forces, during his funeral in the West Bank refugee camp of Al-Arrub on May 18.
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An Israeli artillery unit fires toward Gaza on May 18.
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Palestinian firefighters douse a fire at the Foamco mattress factory after an Israeli airstrike east of Jabalia, Gaza, on Monday, May 17.
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A woman reacts inside her kitchen on May 17 after a rocket from Gaza hit her apartment building in Ashdod, Israel.
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Israeli soldiers take cover near the Gaza border as a siren warns them about incoming rockets on May 17.
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Children salvage toys from their home at Gaza City's Al-Jawhara Tower, which was heavily damaged in Israeli airstrikes.
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Palestinian rescuers pull a survivor from the rubble of a building that was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Sunday, May 16.
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This photo shows the scene of an alleged car ramming in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah on May 16. Six were injured; the driver was shot and killed.
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In the background, the Israeli Iron Dome aerial-defense system intercepts rockets fired by Hamas militants toward southern Israel on May 16.
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A ball of fire erupts from the Jala'a Tower, which houses the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and other media offices, as it is <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/15/media/associated-press-al-jazeera-gaza-bombings/index.html" target="_blank">destroyed by an Israeli airstrike</a> in Gaza City on Saturday, May 15.
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Relatives mourn over the bodies of the Abu Khatab family, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike, at the Shifa Hospital morgue in Gaza City on May 15.
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A nurse holds an injured baby at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on May 15. The baby was pulled alive from a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike, which killed 10 members of the child's family.
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Members of the Israeli emergency services work at a site in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, after a rocket fired from Gaza struck the area.
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A siren sounds a warning of incoming rockets as people take cover at a shelter in Ramat Gan, Israel, on May 15.
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Rachel El-Gazar walks inside her damaged house in Sderot, Israel, following rocket fire from Gaza on May 15.
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A Palestinian protester launches flares amid clashes with Israeli soldiers in Hebron, West Bank, on Friday, May 14.
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A Palestinian woman reacts amid the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, on May 14.
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Israeli soldiers prepare an artillery unit in Sderot, Israel, near the border with Gaza on May 14.
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A man in Ashkelon, Israel, views a damaged car and building that was hit by a rocket fired from Gaza.
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Palestinians take shelter in a UN school in Gaza City on Thursday, May 13.
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Julianna Sror views the damage to her apartment on May 13 after it was hit by a rocket in Petah Tikva, Israel.
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A Palestinian walks next to a building destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on May 13.
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Israeli soldiers fire a self-propelled howitzer toward Gaza from their position near the southern Israeli city of Sderot on May 13.
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The missile is highly maneuverable. It is 3 meters (almost 10 feet), long; has a diameter of about 6 inches (15 cm); and weighs 90 kilograms (198 pounds), the security analysis group IHS Jane's said in 2012.

How a Five-Day War With Georgia Allowed Russia to Reassert Its Military Might

SARAH PRUITT Moscow's aggressive reaction to its long-simmering tensions with the former Soviet republic signaled a newly assertive Russia. In early August 2008, after Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili sent troops into the rebellious province of South Ossetia, Russia came to its defense, beginning a five-day-long conflict that ended with Russian troops within striking distance of Tbilisi, the Georgian capital. Moscow's aggressive reaction to its long-simmering tensions with Georgia announced Russia's reemergence as a military power, and paved the way for its controversial dealings with another former Soviet republic, Ukraine, beginning in 2014.

Separatist Issues in Georgia

The roots of the Russia-Georgia conflict go back to the early 1990s, when both Russia and Georgia were newly independent nations after the dissolution of the USSR. Civil war erupted within Georgia, located to the south of Russia on the eastern shore of the Black Sea, when two provinces—South Ossetia in eastern Georgia, and Abkhazia, on the northwestern coast—sought to declare their own independence.