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U.S. Deploys THAAD Missile Defense System to Israel Amid Rising Tensions
The U.S. military is deploying its advanced THAAD (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense) missile defense system to Israel, a move aimed at strengthening Israel’s defense capabilities in the face of growing threats from Iran. The deployment comes after recent missile attacks on Israel, with the Pentagon confirming the dispatch of around 100 U.S. troops to operate the system.
The THAAD system, one of the most powerful anti-missile systems in the U.S. arsenal, is designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles during their terminal phase, either inside or outside the Earth’s atmosphere. THAAD interceptors rely on kinetic energy to neutralize incoming missiles, meaning they destroy their targets by direct impact rather than detonation. The system boasts an impressive success rate in testing.
The Pentagon’s decision to deploy THAAD to Israel follows a series of unprecedented missile attacks, including those on April 13 and October 1, believed to have been orchestrated by Iran. Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated, with Tehran warning of retaliation if Israel launches further attacks.
THAAD’s deployment is part of a broader U.S. commitment to support Israel’s defense, particularly as it faces threats from Hezbollah and other militant groups in the region. The system will add a crucial layer to Israel’s already formidable air defense network, which includes systems like David’s Sling, the Arrow missile defense system, and the Iron Dome.
David’s Sling, a joint project between Israel’s RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems and U.S. defense contractor Raytheon, can intercept targets up to 300 kilometers away. Above this, Israel’s Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems, developed in collaboration with the U.S., target ballistic missiles in the upper atmosphere and in space, respectively. The Iron Dome, Israel’s lower-level defense system, is designed to intercept short-range projectiles.
The deployment of THAAD adds another layer of defense, with its radar system, AN/TPY-2, capable of detecting missiles from up to 3,000 kilometers away in its forward-based mode. This makes it a valuable asset in defending against potential threats from Iran, located around 1,700 kilometers from Israel.
This is not the first time THAAD has been deployed to Israel. In 2019, the U.S. sent a THAAD battery to the region for military exercises, reinforcing its close military ties with Israel. THAAD has also been deployed in other strategic locations, including Guam and South Korea, as the U.S. works to counter threats from North Korea and China.
The decision to bolster Israel’s missile defense with THAAD highlights the growing concern over missile threats in the Middle East and the U.S. commitment to its allies in the region. The deployment serves as a deterrent, adding another layer of protection to Israel’s defense capabilities amidst rising regional tensions.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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