The United States announced it is sending an advanced anti-missile system and a number of troops to Israel, deepening America's involvement in the spiraling conflict as the region readies for Israeli retaliatory strikes against Iran.
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, known as THAAD, usually requires about 100 troops to operate, and has six truck mounted launchers, with eight interceptors on each launcher, as well as a powerful radar.
Retired Brigadier General Zvika Haimovich, former head of the Israeli Air Defense, said Israel expected even an bigger barrage of missiles from Iran in "the next phase," after Tehran fired more than 180 missiles at Israel on Oct 1.
But the presence of U.S. equipment and troops inside Israel would deepen the nation's involvement in the crisis.
The arrival of THAAD and U.S. support might ease the burden on Israel's defense system, but Israel's latest reliance on its allies for protection may also speak to the cracks in its often impenetrable armor.
Persons:
General Zvika Haimovich, Israel, THAAD, ” Haimovich, Amir Levy, Haimovich, ”, Abbas Araqchi, ” Araqchi, Fawaz, Joe Biden, Biden
Organizations:
United, Iran, Area Defense, Israeli Air Defense, NBC, London School of Economics, NBC News
Locations:
United States, Israel, Iran, Tehran, Israeli, U.S, THAAD