US deploying advanced missile system to Israel, 100 troops to operate it: Pentagon

The Biden-Harris administration announced Sunday that the US is set to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system along with 100 troops to operate it to Israel. "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. 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 Pentagon said Sunday.

Maj.-Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the missile system and personnel on the orders of President Joe Biden. Ryder said the system will increase Israel’s air defenses in anticipation of any further attacks from Iran. 

The THAAD system is specifically designed to counter ballistic missile threats, such as Iran has utilized just this month. It is not the first time the US has used the system in the Middle East and was actually used in Israel for a 2019 military exercise. The deployment of US troops inside Israel is extremely rare, CNN noted and the introduction of the missile system at this time increases the potential for the US being directly involved with countering an Iranian attack.

The US and Israel have been in discussions over how Iran should retaliate to the last Iranian missile strike. Biden has indicated he does not support an Israeli strike against Iran’s nuclear sites or oil fields. After nearly two months of silence, Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday and the word he used to describe his preferred Israeli response was “proportional,” CNN noted.

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump attacked President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Tuesday for the administration's failure to manage the exploding conflict in the Middle East that began nearly one year ago on October 7, 2023 with a massacre of 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of over 200 by Hamas terrorists.

The Biden-Harris administration announced on Sept. 30 that a “few thousand” more troops would be deployed to the Middle East to enhance the security of those already on the ground and potentially to defend Israel as it now raids sites in Lebanon, AP reported.

It was the second time in a week that the administration had announced an escalation in US troop strength in the Middle East, where the war between Israel and terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah continued to grow. The additional personnel raised the total number of US troops in the war theater to 43,000. The administration also sent more fighter jet squadrons that include F-15E, F-16, and F-22 fighter jets and A-10 attack aircraft. Pilots and ground crew will also be deployed with the aircraft.