‘It is part of the broader adjustments the U.S. military has made in recent months,’ the DOD said.
The Department of Defense confirmed on Oct. 13 it will deploy an advanced air defense system and American support troops to Israel.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said President Joe Biden directed Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin to authorize deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in the country in the midst of its conflict with both the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups, according to the department.
The statement said that an “associated crew” will also be sent to Israel to operate the THAAD system, without elaborating. It’s not clear when the system will be deployed in Israel, where it will be positioned, or how many troops will be sent to the country.
“The THAAD Battery will augment Israel’s integrated air defense system. This action underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran,” the statement reads. “It is part of the broader adjustments the U.S. military has made in recent months, to support the defense of Israel and protect Americans from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias.”
The delivery of the sophisticated missile defense system risks further inflaming the conflict in the Middle East despite widespread diplomatic efforts to avoid an all-out war. Iran issued a warning via a post from an account on the social platform X long associated with Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, noting the earlier reports that the United States was considering the deployment.
Israeli forces and Hezbollah have clashed since Oct. 8, 2023, when the Lebanon-based terrorist group began firing rockets over the border in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza. Late last month, Israel launched a ground invasion into Lebanon.
In a brief exchange with reporters before leaving Florida on Oct. 13, President Joe Biden said he agreed to deploy the THAAD battery “to defend Israel.”
Biden spoke at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa after making a quick visit to observe the damage caused by Hurricane Milton and meet with first responders, residents, and local leaders.
