Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that his country’s retaliation against Iran will be “precise and deadly.”
The minister said on Tuesday to members of the Heroism Forum that Israel “will soon respond” to Iran’s massive barrage of ballistic missiles, which occurred two weeks ago.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly informed the Biden administration of his willingness to constrain Israel’s retaliation to military targets rather than going after Iran’s nuclear and oil facilities, according to the Washington Post. Netanyahu spoke with President Joe Biden last Wednesday, their first call since August despite the rising tension in the region, and they discussed Israel’s expected response.
The Middle East has braced for Israel’s retaliation from Iran’s 180 missile barrage on Oct. 1, with concern that the situation could escalate. Biden has urged Israel to respond proportionally to avoid a subsequent Iranian retaliation, which could in turn lead closer to an all-out war between the two adversaries.
Iran supports a number of U.S.-designated terrorist organizations in neighboring Middle Eastern countries that primarily carry out attacks on Israel. Tehran backs Hamas and Hezbollah, and Israel is fighting simultaneous ground invasions in Gaza and Lebanon, respectively, against them. Israel has also been attacked by the Houthis, who are based in Yemen, and militias in Iraq and Syria.
Iran’s missile attack earlier this month was the second instance during the last year in which Tehran fired hundreds of projectiles toward Israel. In both instances, the first of which was in April, the U.S. military helped intercept the incoming projectiles.
US military personnel arrive in Israel
The U.S. Department of Defense announced the deployment of a THAAD system, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery, to Israel over the weekend. It is a ground-based interceptor designed to shoot down ballistic missiles, and it requires about 100 troops to operate the system.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
An advanced team of U.S. military personnel and initial THAAD components made it to Israel on Monday, while the remaining personnel and equipment will arrive “over the coming days,” Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a new statement on Tuesday.
“The deployment of the THAAD battery to Israel underscores the United States’ commitment to the defense of Israel and to defend Americans in Israel from any ballistic missile attacks by Iran,” he added.