The Pentagon has announced the deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel, accompanied by approximately 100 American troops, in response to escalating threats from Iran following missile attacks on Israeli targets. This marks the first U.S. troop deployment to Israel since the conflict intensified after Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. The deployment is part of a broader strategy to bolster Israel's air defenses and demonstrate the U.S.'s commitment to its ally amidst rising tensions in the Middle East. While the Israeli government has welcomed the move, it has drawn sharp objections from China, which views THAAD's presence as a threat to its national security. The U.S. aims to deter Iranian aggression while cautioning Israel against targeting Iran's critical infrastructure to avoid a larger regional conflict. The logistics for the THAAD deployment are being coordinated, with expectations for it to arrive within a week.