According to the Times of Israel, the THAAD system, which the United States deployed in Israel in October, was activated for the first time to intercept a missile.
The American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system successfully intercepted a ballistic missile launched at Israel from Yemen yesterday, reportedly fired by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Deployed in Israel by the United States in October, this marked its first activation for such an interception, as reported by the Times of Israel. Social media footage showed the system launching an interceptor, accompanied by an American soldier exclaiming, “Eighteen years I’ve been waiting for this.”
Although the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the interception, they did not disclose whether the system used was Israeli or American. However, security sources informed the Walla news site that THAAD had effectively engaged the incoming missile.
The deployment of the THAAD system in Israel was prompted by a ballistic missile attack by Iran on October 1. This advanced defense system is capable of intercepting missiles both within and beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
The THAAD system, developed by the United States, is engineered to intercept short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase. Unlike traditional systems, THAAD uses kinetic energy to neutralize threats, destroying incoming missiles through direct impact rather than using an explosive warhead.
A typical THAAD battery consists of six truck-mounted launchers, each capable of holding up to eight interceptors, along with a radar and a fire control system. Its radar can identify threats from distances ranging between 870 and 3,000 kilometers.
The recent Houthi missile launch was the fifth attack on Israel in just eight days. The Iran-backed group claimed they were targeting Ben Gurion Airport. In retaliation, Israeli warplanes conducted strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, including the Hezyaz power plant and facilities at Sanaa International Airport.
Over the past year, the Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel, according to the IDF. Most of these threats were intercepted or failed to reach their targets. The group has also caused disruptions in commercial shipping in the Red Sea, attacking over 100 merchant vessels and forcing carriers to change their routes.
The Houthis have directly connected their actions to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, following an attack on Israel by the Palestinian group Hamas.
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