Israeli defense officials say the army will deploy tanks equipped with a miniature missile defense system near the Gaza border now that Palestinians are using a tank-piercing missile.

The officials allege the Kornet missiles the militants possess came from Iran. They provided no proof.

The officials spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss such matters.

At a time of rising violence along the Gaza border, Israel's military chief disclosed Tuesday that militants fired a Kornet for the first time earlier this month, puncturing an Israeli tank.

As a result, the defense officials say Israel has decided to move dozens of tanks equipped with the new Israeli-developed system, which detects incoming projectiles and shoots them down before they reach the armored vehicles.