The US Department of Defense announced on Sunday that it will deploy Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense batteries to Israel in response to the continuing threat from Iran.
While the announcement was warmly welcomed by the Israeli government, it drew loud opposition from communist China, which has long opposed the deployment of THAAD systems in neighboring South Korea. Although the South Korean government has stressed that the purpose of its system is to defend against any potential North Korean attack, THAAD's capabilities could penetrate deep into China and pose a threat to national security. This would make it possible to stop missiles targeting South Korea that claim to be The system has range Up to 124 miles.
Chinese state media spent much of the early days of THAAD's deployment to South Korea organizing boycotts against South Korean companies and threatening the United States for supporting South Korea's defense against its allies in Pyongyang. According to some reports, state-run hackers attempted to infiltrate the THAAD system to compromise its security.
Although the threat North Korea poses to South Korea and the deployment of THAAD in the region is not directly related to the ongoing war between Israel and Iranian-backed terrorist organizations in the Middle East, Chinese state media He accused the US government of exacerbating tensions in inter-Korean relations. By protecting Israel, we protect the region.
The Pentagon confirmed in a statement on Sunday that it had approved the deployment of THAAD to Israel, noting that it is not the first time the system has been used in Israel and that Iranian proxies, and Iran itself, have targeted Israeli targets. He pointed out that the number of missile attacks has increased. According to the Department of Defense, this development meaning The purpose is to “help strengthen Israel's air defenses in the wake of Iran's unprecedented attacks on Israel on April 13 and October 1.”
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In April, Iran launched an unprecedented barrage of hundreds of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones at Israel. Immediately after the attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) admitted that “99 percent” of the projectiles missed, thanks to sophisticated defense systems. Iranian forces similarly fired hundreds of missiles at Israel in early October, but most of them were again intercepted.
Deploying THAAD to ensure that the Israeli military can intercept future such attacks “underscores the United States' unwavering determination to protect Israel from further ballistic missile attacks by Iran and to protect Americans in Israel.” ,” the Department of Defense said.
The Pentagon also expand military operating the system. The statement did not specify how many U.S. soldiers would accompany the THAAD system, but some reports say 94 trained officers are needed to operate the system. Al Jazeera, citing CBS News, reported that an unnamed official indicated that “about 100 troops” were headed to Israel.
Israeli government spokesman David Mensah told reporters on Monday that the THAAD deployment “demonstrates, not just in words, but in actions, how our ally the United States is willing to help.” welcomed.
News of the THAAD deployment follows weeks of public pressure from the leftist administration of President Joe Biden to limit self-defense operations against Israel in response to the Hamas massacre on its territory in 2023. It's a thing. On October 7 of the same year, Hamas and an Iranian proxy terrorist organization invaded Israel, killing 1,200 people, abducting 250 others, and committing horrific acts including mass rape, infanticide, torture, and desecration of corpses. The next day, another Iranian proxy terrorist group, Hezbollah, began a campaign of killing civilians in northern Israel, and Israel declared war on Hamas. Israeli forces are currently operating in Gaza to eliminate the Hamas threat and in neighboring Lebanon to liberate northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks.
The Biden administration has been proposing a “diplomatic” solution to the war for months, but there has been little meaningful response from Israel or the terrorists. In early October, Mr. Biden appeared in the White House briefing room and appealed to Israel not to directly target Iranian oil fields in response to Iran's recent missile barrage.
“Look, the Israelis haven't decided what they're going to do about the attack yet. They're debating it. If I were in their shoes, I would consider alternatives to attacking the oil fields,” Biden said. .
In response to these comments, some reports claimed that Biden administration officials were offering “compensation” to Jerusalem in exchange for agreeing not to attack specific targets in Iran.
Israel's Kan11 news agency said: “The package includes not only a weapons package but also full guarantees of comprehensive diplomatic protection, delivered directly in exchange for Iran's refraining from attacking specific targets.” It was reported.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin renewed pressure on the Israeli government to withdraw military action to defend the territory in a phone call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday.
“The Secretary also emphasized the importance of Israel taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of UNIFIL and Lebanese forces,” the Pentagon said. be familiar with “And we need to shift as soon as possible from military operations in Lebanon to diplomatic channels that provide security for civilians on both sides of the border,” he said in a readout.
The Chinese government was the first to react negatively to the news of THAAD deployment through its state-run propaganda media. Global Times.
“If the United States were to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor system to Israel, the regional crisis and ongoing conflict could worsen as the deployment could further upset the balance of power in the region. “Yes,” Chinese media reported. declaredThis was reported on Sunday by a state-certified “analyst.''
“The deployment of THAAD in the region would weaken Iran's deterrence against Israel and allow Israel to take more direct and assertive action against Iran and other regional countries without fear.” said an anonymous “Beijing-based military expert.” Global Timesdescribes this potential development negatively. “This would disrupt the balance of power in the region, and the Iranian government would be forced to take action to prevent it.”
of times He accused Mr. Washington of Israel's “increasingly erratic” self-defense actions.
China is one of the world's most vocal opponents of the deployment of THAAD in South Korea, announced in 2017 in response to the threat from North Korea.
“We oppose the deployment of the THAAD system. [South Korea] We also request all parties involved to immediately halt deployment. We will resolutely take necessary measures to protect our country's interests,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said at the time.
of Global TimesRegarding China's self-defense measures against North Korea, one of China's main allies, he declared, “We will gradually make South Korea feel the pain and make the United States realize its mistake.''
He added, “The establishment of THAAD has given China a decisive reason to expand and improve its tactical nuclear weapons arsenal.” “It would be valuable if THAAD allows the Chinese government to comprehensively increase its strategic nuclear forces.”
China launches campaign to boycott Korean entertainment; boycott A product of the Korean company Lotte Group, which has agreed to provide land for the installation of the THAAD system. The Chinese government also drastically restricted tourism to South Korea in an effort to damage the South Korean economy as a protest.
Gen. Harry Harris, then commander of Pacific Command, warned that China was trying to influence South Korea to prevent it from acquiring a fully defendable weapons system against the very countries that are allied with China. I think it would be foolish to do so,” he said in response to China's remarks. Action.
