At least 100 Troops will be Arriving in Israel to Operate the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence Missile System (THAAD) that Washington Promised Tel Aviv last week

The American troops started arriving in Israel on Tuesday (Oct 15), according to the Pentagon as the West Asian country prepares to up the stakes in its war against Hamas as well as conflicts with Hezbollah and Iran. 

At least 100 troops will be arriving in Israel to operate the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missile system (THAAD) that Washington promised Tel Aviv last week. 

“The battery will be fully operationally capable in the near future, but for security reasons, we will not discuss timelines,” a Pentagon spokesperson said. 

THAAD is a storied missile defence system known for its ability to intercept ballistic missiles.

Built by Lockheed Martin for the United States Army, the company describes the integrated air and missile defence system as a 'highly effective, combat-proven defence against short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats'.

According to reports, Israel has been facing a shortage of rocket and missile interceptors as its air defence apparatus feels the heat of a yearlong war in Gaza and clashes with the Lebanon-based militant group.

Currently, Israel employs a multi-layered air-defence system that includes the ever-reliable Iron Dome, used to shoot short-range missiles David's Sling, used to intercept medium-range missiles and the Arrow system, designed to handle long-range ballistic missiles.

However, the cost of employing such a sophisticated system runs irrationally high and the production cannot keep up with the frequency of attacks Israel faces.

Hence, the supply of THAAD is expected to rejuvenate the Israeli defence mechanism.

Meanwhile, Iran has warned the US to keep its forces out of Israel.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Brig. Gen.

Ebrahim Jabbari in a fiery statement threatened that American ships, bases, and interests were “within the reach of" Tehran's weapons.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran did not see any reason to continue indirect talks with the US as it supplied the THAAD missile defence system to its enemy.

"We do not see a basis for these talks until the current crisis is resolved.

Afterward, we will decide whether to resume negotiations and in what form they should continue," Araghchi said.

Iran had launched almost 200 ballistic missiles on major Israeli cities earlier this month to avenge the loss of militant leaders allied to Tehran.

Since then, reports have emerged that Tel Aviv was Planning to dismantle Tehran's nuclear facilities.