US sending 100 troops and a missile defence system to Israel
The United States is deploying an advanced, high-altitude missile system to Israel as well as around 100 American troops to operate it, the Pentagon announced in the first US military deployment to Israel since the war on Gaza began in October 2023.
Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder said in a statement on Sunday that US President Joe Biden directed Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (Thaad) along with its operating crew to Israel.
The deployment places American troops inside Israel for the first time amid its war on Gaza, which has now escalated into an Israeli invasion of Lebanon and carries the potential for a large-scale war with Iran.
“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 statement said.
“It is part of the broader adjustments the US military has made in recent months to support the defense of Israel and protect Americans from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias.”