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US deploying THAAD missile defence system, troops to Israel

14 Oct 2024 By America-Today

The United States is sending an advanced anti-missile system to Israel, the Pentagon

has announced, as President Joe Biden’s administration continues to provide “iron

clad” support for one of its top allies amid mounting tensions with Iran.

The US Department of Defense said on Sunday that Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin had

authorised the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) “bat

tery and associated crew of US military personnel to Israel” to help boost the

country’s air defences.

“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

Pentagon said in a statement.

The announcement comes less than two weeks after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at

Israel on October 1 in retaliation for the assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah lead-

ers and an Iranian general.

Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have vowed to retali

ate — spurring fears that the Middle East could be dragged into an all-out regional

war.