Will US soldiers operate anti-missile system on Israeli soil?

American soldiers may be deployed to Israel to supervise use of the THAAD anti-ballistic missile system, in light of threats from Iran.

By World Israel News Staff

The United States may soon provide Israel with an advanced air defense system, a U.S. official confirmed after numerous media outlets published reports about the potential transfer.

Speaking to the Times of Israel, an unnamed American official said that the Biden administration is seriously considering sending Israel the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), which is specifically focused on ballistic missiles.

Iran recently targeted Israel with a barrage of some 200 ballistic missiles in what is believed to be one of the largest attacks of its kind in history.

But the decision to provide THAAD would be particularly significant due to the fact that U.S. soldiers would need to be deployed to Israel in order to operate the system.

According to Hebrew-language media reports, Washington is still weighing up the options of such a decision. Placing American troops on Israeli soil is likely to spark controversy and may prove especially problematic to the Democratic party, in light of intense anti-Israel sentiment among the far-left wing of the Democratic party ahead of the presidential election next month.

The deployment of THAAD in Israel could also provide insight into American predictions regarding an Israeli strike on Iran and Iran’s retaliation.

Following the missile barrage earlier in October, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran had “made a big mistake” by launching the attack. Though most of the missiles were intercepted, several struck military bases in Israel, causing damage. The IDF said that the impacts did not compromise the military’s normal operations.

Netanyahu added that Iran would “pay the price” for the aerial assault, later hinting in a speech addressing the Iranian people that Israel may target the Islamic Republic’s leadership.

The Biden administration has repeatedly pressured Israel not to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities or oil fields, but sending THAAD to Israel could mean that the Americans expect Israel will launch a powerful attack that will result in significant retaliation from Iran.