US Deploys THAAD to Israel to Stress Continued Commitment to Tel Aviv

The Pentagon has for the first time deployed its most advanced missile system in Israel, hailing the move as Washington’s “continued commitment” to the security of the Zionistr entity.

According to Press TV, the US European Command (EUCOM) said in a statement on Monday that the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was ordered by acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan in March last year and was intended “as a demonstration of the United States’ continued commitment to Israel’s regional security.”

The statement added that US military forces would be stationed in a number of locations during THAAD’s deployment to “practice operational procedures for augmenting Israel’s existing” systems.

 “THAAD is the most advanced integrated air and missile defense system in the world, and this deployment readiness exercise demonstrates that US forces are agile, and can respond quickly and unpredictably to any threat, anywhere, at any time,” EUCOM said.

THAAD is a ground-based missile defense system designed to shoot down short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the arrival of THAAD and said the deployment was “further evidence” of the United States’ commitment to Tel Aviv.

H.M