The U.S. Defense Department has announced that two Iron Dome missile defense systems will be provided to Israel by the Pentagon, as Israel continues to combat the militant group Hamas.
"The deadliest day for Israel in 50 years occurred on October 7 when Hamas launched a massive, coordinated attack. As a response to this situation, the U.S. has committed to sending additional Iron Dome support to Israel, aiming to bolster its air defense. The U.S. Army previously procured two Iron Dome systems several years ago, as requested by Congress, to address cruise missile defense gaps while developing long-term countermeasures for air and missile threats. However, the Army does not plan to acquire more Iron Domes or integrate the system into its existing air defense framework, as disclosed by Army officials to Defense News.
The two Iron Dome batteries have seen limited use, with Army personnel conducting training exercises at Fort Bliss, Texas. One of the systems was deployed to Guam at the end of 2021 for a two-week exercise, while the others remained at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.
Although the U.S. Defense Department official did not specify the terms of the battery transfer, it represents a significant show of support for Israel's air defense. The official did not indicate whether the batteries would be returned to the U.S. after potential combat use. Additionally, the U.S. has announced the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery and Patriot air defense battalions to the region, further enhancing Israel's defense capabilities.
The U.S. continues to expand its security assistance to Israel, including the delivery of air defense supplies, munitions, artillery rounds, armored vehicles, and precision-guided munitions. This support is part of a broader American effort to provide assistance in response to the ongoing conflict.
As a sign of this commitment, the U.S. has deployed carrier strike groups to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf, with additional troops and a Marine expeditionary unit prepared for immediate deployment if required. Senior U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and President Joe Biden, have visited Israel and pledged continued U.S. support.
In a recent address from the Oval Office, President Biden requested over $100 billion in supplemental security aid from Congress, with $14.3 billion allocated for Israel. Notably, this aid has not been tied to conditions requiring Israel to limit civilian casualties.
However, U.S. officials have publicly called on Israel to adhere to the laws of war during its retaliatory actions. As the conflict continues, reports indicate that more than 5,000 people in Gaza have lost their lives, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which is administered by Hamas.
The Iron Dome missile defense system is among the most effective air defense systems globally, with a successful track record in intercepting more than 2,000 rockets. Each Iron Dome battery comprises three key components: radar, command-and-control systems, and launchers for interceptors. These components play a critical role in enhancing Israel's defense capabilities, with extra radars improving threat detection, and more launchers and command-and-control technology expanding the system's capacity to protect Israeli territory from rocket attacks.
Should the conflict extend beyond the Gaza Strip, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah possesses tens of thousands of rockets, potentially posing a significant threat. Recent reports have indicated that Israel's military targeted two Hezbollah cells that were allegedly preparing to launch rockets across the border."
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