To bolster Israel’s defenses, the United States has announced the deployment of 100 troops and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to Israel.
This comes as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate after Iran fired over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel earlier this month, and rumors swirl of a potential Israel retaliatory attack on Iran.
According to Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said the deployment of US troops “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 deployment is part of broader adjustments made by the US military to support Israel and protect Americans and American interests in the region from Iranian attacks.
The THAAD system, a critical component of the US military’s layered air defense, will enhance Israel’s existing anti-missile defenses. This advanced system can shoot down short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The US has previously deployed THAAD to Israel in 2019 for drills, and this current deployment marks a rare stationing of US troops in Israel outside of exercises.
Israel is expected to retaliate against Iran in response to the recent missile attacks, which have resulted in casualties and damage. The conflict with Iran takes its root from Israel’s ongoing war against Iran-backed Hezbollah, which in turn was pulling its weight behind Hamas in Palestine over the disputed territory of Gaza. Israel recently targeted and killed Hezbollah’s leader and several senior commanders, prompting increased strikes from Hezbollah.
The United Nations has called for the evacuation of peacekeeping troops from the region, citing injuries sustained during Israeli fire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed and urged the UN to remove its forces, saying, “Get the UNIFIL forces out of harm’s way… It should be done right now, immediately“, suggesting an imminent, massive, possibly ground military operation of Israeli forces in Lebanon.
On the other hand, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that the US deployment puts American troops at risk, saying Iran will defend its people and interests without hesitation.
The return of American troops to the Middle East for combat purposes decades after the Gulf Wars indicates that the conflict is escalating and not de-escalating. The shadowy fist of a regional and even global conflagration may be creeping in upon us all.
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