The Pentagon has acknowledged that it will send a high-altitude anti-missile system controlled by US troops to Israel.
According to officials, the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) battery will strengthen Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s missile attack on the nation earlier this month.
President Joe Biden has stated that it is intended to defend Israel, which is still anticipated to retaliate against an Iranian strike of more than 180 ballistic missiles launched at Israel on October 1.
The decision has garnered attention since it includes placing American forces on the ground in Israel.
There are already a modest number of US personnel in the country, but this fresh deployment of perhaps 100 troops is noteworthy since it indicates more US involvement in the expanding regional conflict.
It is also being investigated for indications regarding the efficiency of Israel’s missile defenses as the crisis worsens.
Israel has yet to launch its retaliation for Iran’s attack, which will be “lethal, precise and above all, surprising,” according to Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
Tehran said it fired on Israel after it assassinated Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Iran-backed Hezbollah, in Beirut.
The Pentagon said an advance team and battery components arrived in Israel on Monday, with more personnel and parts expected in the following days. According to the statement, the battery will be operating in the “near future”.
President Biden has opposed any strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, as well as its oil and energy infrastructure, fearing that it would spark a spiraling crisis and harm the world economy.
Whatever the reasoning behind the decision, it indicates that Israel requires additional US defense aid as the Middle East war escalates.
