AFP via Getty ImagesThe Department of Defense has confirmed that the US military is transmitting high-altitude anti-missile systems operated in Israel.
Officials say high-altitude area defense (THAAD) batteries at the terminal will strengthen Israel’s air defense after an Iranian missile attack earlier this month.
President Joe Biden said it “means protecting Israel,” which is still expected to retaliate against an Iranian strike involving more than 180 ballistic missiles launched in Israel on October 1. It’s there.
The move has become a focus of attention as it involves placing American boots on Israeli ground.
Although there are already a small number of US troops in the country, this new development of around 100 troops is important as it further shows the US entanglement in the growing regional war.
Also, as the crisis grows, it is being scrutinized for clues on the implications of Israeli missile defense.
Israel has yet to begin retaliation for Iran’s attacks. This is “fatal, accurate and most surprising, according to Defense Minister Joav Gallant.”
Tehran said he was fired in Israel for assassinating Hassan Nasrara, the leader of Beirut’s Iranian-backed Hezbollah.
The Pentagon said on Monday that Israel will have more upfront pay teams and components needed for the battery in Israel, and more employees and parts in the coming days. The battery will operate “in the near future,” according to the statement.
Israeli journalist Avi Scharf, who routinely monitors flight tracking data, said two C-17 US military carriers flew from Alabama to Israeli Air Force’s Nevatim base overnight, possibly carrying THAAD equipment. I did.
Whether the THAAD deployment is part of our emergency plan to bridge the gaps identified in Israel’s air defense, or growing concerns about a stronger Israeli strike in Iran in Washington. It is still unknown if it will point.
President Biden opposed attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and its oil or energy infrastructure.
Whatever the background to the decision, it illustrates Israel’s further needs for US defense support amid the growing Middle East War.
ReutersBallistic missiles, like the Fatta 1 used by Iran earlier this month, are fired upwards into Earth’s atmosphere, where they change trajectories and descend towards their targets. One of their military advantages is their enormous speed compared to cruise missiles and drones.
According to Lockheed Martin, the US’s largest weapons manufacturer, THAAD systems are extremely effective against ballistic missiles.
Another American arms company, Raytheon, is building advanced radar.
The system counts six launchers mounted on a truck with eight interceptors on each launcher. It costs $100 million (£766 million) and requires around 100 crew to operate it.
Thaad is highly sought after, including those by Ukraine to counter Russian missile attacks.
Saudi Arabia had ordered it, and reportedly wanted more as part of the American weapons Bonanza in return for official recognition of Israel.
Iran’s October 1 attacked Israel and killed a man in Jericho, the occupied West Bank.
Israel has a highly proud aerial defense system developed with the United States, including the Arrow 2 and Exo-Atmospheric missiles.
These can fly at deferred speeds and fire down ballistic missiles in space. The Israeli designer of the system said Arrow “has done as expected” with “great” results against the Iranian strike.
The US supported defence operations, fired interceptors from two naval destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean, and received support from some European and Arab countries.
Washington presented Iran’s strike as “defeated and ineffective.”
However, the damage on the ground conveyed a less-than-emphasised picture. Satellite images showed damage at Nevatim Base, which houses F-35 fighter jets, including runway and taxiway craters.
Decker Everez of the Washington-based Naval Analysis Center (CNA) said the image showed 32 impact points, including multiple hits in the area of the F-35 hanger.
“Some F-35s have been really fortunate,” Eveleth wrote on X.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that it is still unknown whether the damage was caused directly by missiles or by intercepted rap shotguns.
There were other direct influences, including Tel Aviv. One missile reportedly blew a deep 30-foot (9 meters) crater into a densely populated area near the headquarters of Israeli spy agency Mossad.
Politically, the THAAD announcement is expressed in terms of the Biden administration’s support of the “iron chain” to Israel’s defense.
Israeli figures show that the US sent over 50,000 tonnes of weapons to Israel last year.
But it also highlights some of the policy distortions put into effect by Washington. First, pressure Israel and its enemies to not escalate the war, and instead urge diplomacy.
When it failed, the White House firmly supported the decision of Israeli allies, moving diplomatically and militarily to protect it.
Iran’s missile strikes include Hamas political leader Ismail Hanie (negotiator for the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release talks), Hassan Nasrara in Beirut, Israeli air in Beirut’s populated region and Lebanon’s ground violations followed the assassination of Israel.
Israel opposed Hezbollah’s leadership and said it was destroying its vast missile store due to 11 months of the rocket fire that crossed the border to Israel.
It claims only military pressure, and Hezbollah’s capabilities ensure that 60,000 Israelis can return to their homes in northern Israel.
The Pentagon describes the deployment of THAAD as part of “the broader coordination that the US military has made in recent months” to support Israel and defend Americans from attacks by Iran and Iran-supporting groups .
It says that Thaad was deployed to southern Israel for practice in 2019.
Given Israel’s own capabilities, the deployment of US troops to Israel other than drills is extremely rare.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakich warned on Sunday that the US is “in danger by deploying them to operate US missile systems in Israel.”
