Four Israeli soldiers were killed and many others were injured in a Hezbollah attack on a military base in the city of Binyamina. It is one of the bloodiest attacks on Israel since the start of the Gaza war, which began just over a year ago. The Islamist organization, which the US and Germany designate as a terrorist organization, said it was only a "foretaste" of what awaits Israel if it continues its attacks on Lebanon.
Why didn't Israel's air defense intercept the attack?
According to information provided on Hezbollah's official Telegram channel, the base in Israel was attacked by a "squad of combat drones" and Israeli radar systems failed to intercept the sophisticated drones. In addition, the operation was complex, the radical pro-Iranian organization also reported - at the same time dozens of rockets were fired at different targets in order to deconcentrate the Israeli air defense. Thus, several drones managed to reach the military base unnoticed. Also, according to Hezbollah, some of the drones were being used "for the first time".
Israel appears to have been surprised by the drone attack, writes German public broadcaster ARD. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari announced that an investigation would be launched into how a drone could enter their airspace and strike without warning from the systems.
According to the initial investigation, Hezbollah launched two kamikaze drones from Lebanon, which entered Israeli airspace through the sea, writes "Times of Israel". Both drones were detected even then, and one was even shot down. However, the second managed to disappear from the radars. That's why air raid sirens didn't sound - the Israeli army assumed that the drone had crashed or been intercepted.
What is the air defense system that the US will give Israel
Yesterday, Washington announced that it will provide Israel with a new powerful air defense system - the so-called "Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense" (from English: terminal defense system for high altitudes) or THAAD.
The THAAD defense system is one of the US military's most powerful anti-missile weapons, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles at a distance of 150 to 200 kilometers and with an almost perfect success rate in tests, writes CNN. Using a combination of advanced radar systems and interceptors, THAAD is the only U.S. missile defense system that can intercept and destroy short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles both in and out of the atmosphere during the terminal phase of flight—or just before reaching the target.
THAAD interceptors are kinetic, meaning they destroy incoming targets by colliding with them rather than detonating in the vicinity of the incoming warhead. According to a report by the US Congressional Research Service, the US military has seven THAAD batteries, each consisting of six truck-mounted launchers - with eight interceptors each, a powerful radar system and a fire control and communications component.
One of these highly valuable systems will now be provided to Israel to aid its already impressive capability to counter incoming missiles "following Iran's unprecedented attacks on Israel on April 13 and again on October 1," they say from the Pentagon. However, for this purpose, American soldiers are needed on the ground, writes CNN. About 100 military personnel will be sent to Israel to service the anti-missile system. Iran has notified the US that it will retaliate against any new attack by Israel, a Tehran source told US media on Saturday.
This is not the first time the US has deployed the THAAD system in the Middle East, the Pentagon said. In 2019, the system was deployed to Israel for training.