More U.S. troops deploy to Israel

October 14, 2024 – Washington, D.C. - the Pentagon announced this week that 100 American troops are being sent to Israel to operate a new air defense system that the pentagon is sending to the country.

The move is intended to bolster Israeli air defenses; but it also potentially puts American troops in harm's way as tensions rise between Iran and Israel.

On Monday, reporters asked President Joseph R. Biden (D) why did he decide to give the permission for the THAAD to be deployed in Israel?

"To defend Israel," Biden answered.

The President was asked if he had "Any worries about it?"

Biden did not respond.

The move comes after Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles at Iran on October 1.

Israel has vowed to retaliate, though on Monday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that they would not attack Iranian nuclear sites or oil production facilities.

Major General Pat Ryder described the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel as part of a larger 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" groups in the region.

U.S. forces have previously defended Israel from Navy ships and fighter jets based outside of Israel. Deploying U.S. military forces in Israel itself is a significant escalation of the American presence in the conflict.

THAAD is designed to take out short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles and is part of the U.S. military's layered air defenses. THAAD includes six truck-mounted launchers carrying eight interceptors each as well as radar to detect incoming threats.

On Sunday Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Washington was putting the lives of American troops "at risk by deploying them to operate U.S. missile systems in Israel."

"While we have made tremendous efforts in recent days to contain an all-out war in our region, I say it clearly that we have no red lines in defending our people and interests," Araghchi said on the social platform X.

Israel already has a THAAD battery in place that the U.S. sent following the Ocober 7, 2023 cross border raid by Hamas. That THAAD system was not accompanied by U.S. troops.

The United States already operates a missile defense base in Israel's Negev desert called Site 512. The number of American troops there is classified. They U.S. also has a permanent base in the Negev Desert that opened in 2017. American special forces and intelligence operators deployed to Israel last year following the Oct. 7 attacks. It is not clear how many U.S. troops are deployed in the country.

American forces deployed to the Middle East region has grown to 43,000 troops as the conflict has escalated.

To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com