President Joe Biden has authorized the deployment of U.S. troops and a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel. The Pentagon announced the decision on Sunday in the face of Iran’s recent attacks against Israel.

According to Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the deployment aims to bolster Israel’s air defense system following two significant attacks by Iran—on April 13 and October 1 of this year. The THAAD system, known for intercepting ballistic missiles, will play a vital role in preventing further missile strikes on Israeli territory.

“This action underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran,” Ryder said in a statement. The deployment is part of a broader adjustment of U.S. military presence in the Middle East, aimed at protecting U.S. troops and assets from Iranian threats.

The deployment places a rare occurrence of U.S. troops being stationed inside Israel for defensive operations. The approximately 100 troops involved in the mission will operate the THAAD battery, adding to Israel’s integrated air defense network. It is the first time since last year’s THAAD deployment that U.S. forces have been stationed in Israel for this purpose, with the previous deployment happening after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks.

US President Joe Biden (L) listens to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he joins a meeting of the Israeli war cabinet in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023, battles between Israel and Hamas

THAAD is a U.S. anti-ballistic missile defense system designed to intercept and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase—just before they reach their target. It is part of the larger U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) and provides advanced protection against missile threats to military forces, population centers, and key infrastructure.

Israel has been in a state of heightened alert following a string of recent escalations. In addition to the conflict with Iran, Israel has faced intense clashes along its northern border with Hezbollah. The ongoing conflict, which is linked to the devastating war in Gaza, has claimed thousands of lives on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. In Gaza alone, officials report that the war has caused nearly 42,300 deaths and left nearly 99,000 others wounded since October 2023, according to CBS News.

The latest military action comes amid growing concerns over Iran’s involvement in the region. Iran has long been accused of supporting militant groups like Hezbollah, which has engaged in sporadic cross-border skirmishes with Israeli forces in recent months. U.S. officials view the deployment of the THAAD battery as a necessary step to counter Iranian aggression and safeguard both Israeli and American lives.

While the U.S. has long supported Israel’s right to defend itself, the deployment may draw criticism from those who oppose further U.S. military involvement in the region. Nonetheless, the administration maintains that the protection of American personnel and assets remains a top priority.

Late Sunday night, a devastating drone strike by Hezbollah on an Israeli military base resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and left over 60 wounded. The attack marks one of the deadliest incidents since the conflict began last October. Israeli defense officials are investigating the breach, seeking to understand how the drone managed to infiltrate their airspace undetected.