Watch: Israel’s Iron Beam laser defence system intercepts Hezbollah rockets

Israel only acquired the Iron Beam, a supplement to its world-renowned Iron Dome air defence system, in December, when the Defence Ministry released its first combat-ready devices to the IDF.

Speaking at the time, Defence Minister Israel Katz called it “a historic occasion”, saying it was “the first time in the world that a high-power laser interception system has reached operational maturity”.

"[This] changes the rules of the game and sends a clear message to all our enemies… do not test us,” he added.

The technology, which has been in development since 2014, works by using high-powered lasers, made by Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems, to shoot down projectiles.

It is designed to neutralise smaller ordnance, allowing the IDF to concentrate the Iron Dome’s power on dealing with larger missiles.

The project was dubbed Or Eitan, translating to “Eitan’s Light”, in memory of Captain Eitan Oster, an IDF commander killed fighting in Lebanon in October 2024 and whose father was involved in the development of the system.

The interceptions came as the IDF confirmed it had opened an “offensive campaign” against Hezbollah in Lebanon following the rocket attacks.

This would appear to mark the end of a ceasefire with the group, which has been in place since November 2024.

Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the army's chief of staff, warned that the fighting could last several days, saying: "We need strong defensive readiness and continuous offensive preparedness, in waves."