Washington [US], April 7: The US is deploying an advanced missile defense system to Israel amid tensions with Iran and conflicts across the Middle East.
US counters Houthi, Iran
The Saudi-based Al-Hadath news channel reported yesterday that the US had delivered a second Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to Israel on April 5 amid tensions in the region. Aviation tracking websites showed the largest US transport plane, the C-5M, landing at the Nevatim base in southern Israel and taking off about eight hours later. The first THAAD system was delivered to Israel last year and has been used to intercept multiple missiles launched by Houthi forces in Yemen toward Israel, many of which occurred in recent weeks. The US military has stepped up airstrikes in Yemen since March 15 to deter the Houthis, who are backed by Iran.
Yesterday, April 6, Houthi announced that the suspected US airstrikes on the night of April 5 killed at least 2 people and injured 9 others. Earlier, US President Donald Trump posted a black and white video online, showing a large explosion occurring when dozens of people were gathered in a circle. The leader said that those were Houthi members listening to attack instructions but "there will be no more attacks from these people".
The US Central Command (CENTCOM), in charge of the Middle East region, did not confirm the information but only posted two videos showing fighter jets taking off from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier with the caption that the soldiers continued to operate day and night to fight the Houthis.
The US's stepped-up bombing of the Houthis is not only aimed at preventing the group from attacking ships in the Red Sea, but also at putting pressure on Iran, according to AP. President Trump recently threatened to bomb Iran and impose secondary tariffs if the country does not seek a deal with the US on Tehran's nuclear program. Responding to President Trump's call for direct negotiations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said yesterday that it was "nonsense" because Washington has been constantly threatening to use force. However, the diplomat said Iran remains committed to diplomacy and is ready to negotiate indirectly.
Israeli Prime Minister visits the US
In related developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left for the United States yesterday to meet with President Donald Trump to discuss the Iranian threat, the Gaza Strip deal and other issues. The visit comes as Israel has deployed troops to establish a new security corridor in the Gaza Strip to put pressure on Hamas. Last month, the ceasefire agreement officially collapsed when Israel pressured Hamas to release hostages by resuming its bombing campaign in Gaza, a move supported by the White House.
On April 5, Hamas released a video of two surviving hostages telling of their survival after an Israeli airstrike. On the same day, relatives of the hostages called on President Trump to pressure Prime Minister Netanyahu to end the fighting and bring all the hostages home. Hamas is still holding 59 hostages and says it will only release them if Israel releases Palestinian prisoners, agrees to a long-term ceasefire and withdraws its troops from Gaza.
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire have stalled and French President Emmanuel Macron left for Egypt yesterday in an effort to resolve the emergency situation in Gaza, according to Reuters. The leader announced that he would hold a trilateral summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordanian King Abdullah II on Gaza on April 7.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
