War in Israel? Iron Dome Defense System Intercepts ISIS Missiles Fired From Egypt

Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted Wednesday night three missiles fired at the southern resort city of Eilat. A fourth missile fell harmlessly in an open field near the city.

Up to seven missiles were fired at the city from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, Israel Defense Forces told the Times of Israel. No injuries or casualties were reported, although officials said that five people were treated for anxiety related to the early morning attacks. One of the five was hospitalized, Israel Radio said. Social media postings showed shrapnel from the rocket had landed in a resort swimming pool.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks on social media channels Thursday. Islamic State affiliate Ansar Bait al-Maqdis has been battling Egyptian forces in the Sinai peninsula, the Times noted.

Wednesday's attack marked the first time Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system had intercepted rockets fired at Eilat since the 2014 war with Hamas.

Just hours earlier, a mortar landed in the Golan Heights region, which borders Syria. The mortar attack was believed to be spillover from the fighting there, IDF said. The IDF attacked a target in across the border in Syria in response and confirmed a hit, the Times reported, noting that IDF forces typically respond to spillover attacks, even if they are ruled to be accidental.

The Iron Dome defends Israel from short-range rocket attacks fired from anywhere within 43 miles. The system, however, is undergoing an upgrade that will allow Israel to intercept long range missiles and targets in outer space. The Israeli Air Force announced the delivery of the Arrow-3 missile defense system last month, which was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and U.S.-based Boeing.

In December 2015, Israel successfully tested the Arrow-3 by destroying a target in space. The new missile has a warhead that detaches upon leaving Earth's atmosphere and becomes "kamikaze satellite" that tracks down targets.