**US Deploys Advanced THAAD Missile Defense to Israel Amid Rising Tensions**

In a significant move to bolster Israel's air defenses, the United States has decided to deploy its sophisticated Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system to the region. Announced by the Pentagon on Sunday, this deployment includes not only the advanced missile system but also US soldiers trained to operate it. The exact timing of the deployment remains unclear.

THAAD, developed by US defense contractor Lockheed Martin, is renowned for its capability to intercept and destroy short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. This system operates by using radar and interceptors to neutralize threats, with intercept missiles that have a range of 150 to 200 kilometers. The THAAD system can engage targets both inside and outside Earth's atmosphere during the final stages of their trajectory.

A typical THAAD battery is extensive, usually composed of 95 soldiers, six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors (eight per launcher), one radar system, and a fire control and communications component. While the number of launchers and interceptors can vary, the system relies on kinetic energy to neutralize incoming missiles, eschewing traditional explosive warheads.

Reported by Al Jazeera's Mike Hanna from Washington, DC, the THAAD system is highly effective against high-altitude ballistic missile threats but is not designed to counter smaller, low-altitude drones. Each battery costs between $1 billion and $1.8 billion. To date, the US Army has deployed seven THAAD batteries globally, including to locations such as South Korea and Guam.

Historically, the United States deployed a THAAD battery to southern Israel in 2019 for training and an integrated air defense exercise, but this battery was subsequently returned to the US. Following recent Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, the US has yet again decided to deploy THAAD to the Middle East, although the specific country remains undisclosed.

Israel's air defense currently utilizes three systems: Iron Dome for short-range intercepts, David's Sling for medium-range threats, and the Arrow System for long-range interceptions. The addition of THAAD allows these systems to complement each other, offering defense at varying altitudes.

Military analyst Elijah Magnier highlighted a recent Iranian attack on October 1, where approximately 200 missiles were launched towards Israel, deploying a novel strategy that overwhelmed traditional interceptors. The Iranian state media claimed the use of Fattah hypersonic ballistic missiles in this attack, a claim that remains unverified.

The deployment of THAAD is part of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's authorization to strengthen Israel's defenses against potential Iranian ballistic missile attacks. The complexity of THAAD requires a trained crew of 94 US soldiers, as there isn't sufficient time to train the Israeli forces.

While the arrival date of the THAAD system in Israel is still uncertain, the deployment underscores the US commitment to Israel’s security amid escalating regional threats.