New Delhi: In response to the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the Pentagon has announced the deployment of the advanced Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system to Israel. This move aims to bolster Israel’s air defenses following recent missile attacks and escalating hostilities in the region. Approximately 100 U.S. troops are being deployed alongside the THAAD battery to operate the system.
The decision comes after reported missile attacks on Israel by Iran on April 13 and October 1. THAAD is designed to intercept ballistic missiles, adding a significant layer of protection to Israel’s existing defense infrastructure and potentially mitigating future threats from Iran or its proxies.
The presence of U.S. forces is intended not only to defend Israel but also to provide a strategic advantage as Israel considers potential retaliatory actions against Iran. This escalation has raised concerns about further destabilization in an already volatile region. The United States, while affirming Israel’s right to self-defense, has engaged in high-level consultations with Israeli officials to manage the situation and prevent an uncontrollable escalation of hostilities, according to CNN.
Following the surprise Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli fatalities, the U.S. military has significantly increased its presence in the Middle East. Aircraft carriers and warships have been deployed to the eastern Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea, while additional air defense systems have been stationed throughout the region. U.S. troops have also been positioned in Cyprus to assist with evacuation plans.
The deployment of U.S. forces and equipment like the THAAD system serves as a signal to Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, about the serious consequences of any further escalation.
On the ground, the conflict has intensified. On Sunday, the Israeli military confirmed that four soldiers were killed in a Hezbollah drone strike on a military base in Binyamina, near Haifa. Israeli emergency services reported that over 60 individuals were wounded in the attack, with injuries ranging from mild to critical. The drone strike is seen as a direct response to recent Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, including a devastating strike on central Beirut that killed 22 people.
Hezbollah, which has been launching rocket and drone attacks into Israel for over a year, has escalated its operations with more frequent strikes reaching deeper into Israeli territory. While Israel’s sophisticated air defense systems, including the Iron Dome, have intercepted many of these projectiles, the increasing intensity of Hezbollah’s attacks is testing the limits of Israel’s defenses.