An advanced team of U.S. military personnel, along with components of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries, has arrived in Israel, according to the Pentagon.
More American personnel are expected to arrive in the coming days to operate the system aimed at protecting Israel from missile attacks.
U.S. President Joe Biden has stated his intention “to defend Israel,” which is still anticipated to retaliate against an Iranian attack involving over 180 ballistic missiles launched at Israel on October 1.
Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said that the deployment of the THAAD battery in Israel “underscores the United States’ commitment to protecting Israel and to safeguarding Americans in Israel from any ballistic missile attacks from Iran,” as reported by the BBC.
Ryder added that the battery will be fully operational “in the near future.”
