JERUSALEM, Israel -- Israel and the U.S. have successfully tested a new medium-range anti-missile system. "David's Sling" weapons system intercepted a target during its inaugural flight test, Israel's Defense Ministry said.
 
The test comes less than a week after the end of an eight-day war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. During that time, Israel's Iron Dome batteries shot down more than 400 short-range rockets aimed at Israeli population centers.
 
David's Sling is designed to provide an additional layer of defense against ballistic missiles. It joins the joint U.S.-Israeli Arrow weapons system against missile threats.

The Israeli army estimates that Iran, Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas have some 200,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel.