Mon Oct 14 10:02:23 UTC 2024: ## US Deploys THAAD System and Troops to Israel Amid Hezbollah Offensive
**JERUSALEM** – In a significant escalation of support for Israel’s ongoing offensive against Hezbollah, the United States announced the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) battery and troops to the region.
Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder confirmed the decision on Sunday, stating that Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment at the request of President Joe Biden. The move comes in direct response to heightened tensions following Iran’s warning to the US to stay out of the conflict and the recent launch of Iranian missiles.
The THAAD system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles in the mid-to-terminal phase of their flight. Its deployment is intended to bolster Israel’s air defence capabilities and counter potential threats from Iran and its proxies.
This is not the first time the US has provided advanced air defence systems to Israel. In 2008, an early missile warning radar, a key component of the THAAD system, was deployed to Israel. Subsequent deployments in 2012 and 2019 further strengthened Israel’s military capacity.
The THAAD system was developed in the aftermath of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, during which Iraq launched Scud missiles at both Israel and Saudi Arabia. The system underwent a long development process, with early proposals dating back to 1987 and a series of tests culminating in a successful version in 1999.
The US’s latest deployment of THAAD and troops to Israel signifies a heightened commitment to the country’s security amid the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah and the potential for further escalation with Iran.
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