On Thursday, the United States’ Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile defence system successfully intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen towards Israel. The missile was reportedly fired by the Houthi rebels, a group backed by Iran, marking the fifth missile attack on Israel in just eight days.
This was the first time the THAAD system, which was deployed in Israel in October 2023, was activated to counter an incoming threat. The interception was captured on social media, with footage showing the missile being destroyed mid-flight. In the video, an American soldier can be heard exclaiming, “Eighteen years I’ve been waiting for this,” signalling the significance of the successful interception.
Confirmation from Israeli Defence Forces
While the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that the missile was intercepted, they did not specify whether the THAAD system or another Israeli missile defence system was used. However, reports from security sources indicated that the THAAD system had been responsible for engaging and neutralising the missile threat.
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מערכת ה- THAAD האמריקנית לקחה חלק ביירוט הטיל הבליסטי ששוגר אמש מתימן. אפשר לשמוע את אחד החיילים האמריקניים מתרגש “18 שנים חיכיתי לזה” pic.twitter.com/s4VoMfMhaF
— איתי בלומנטל 🇮🇱 Itay Blumental (@ItayBlumental) December 27, 2024
The THAAD system, which was deployed in Israel following a missile attack by Iran on October 1, is designed to protect the country from various types of missile threats. It can intercept short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase, both inside and outside the Earth’s atmosphere. THAAD works by using kinetic energy to destroy incoming missiles, eliminating the need for an explosive warhead.
THAAD System: Capabilities and Components
A typical THAAD battery consists of six truck-mounted launchers, each capable of carrying up to eight interceptors. Additionally, it includes a radar and fire control system. The system’s radar is capable of detecting missile threats from distances ranging between 870 to 3,000 kilometers.
The deployment of THAAD in Israel adds an additional layer of defence against missile attacks from hostile entities, including the Houthi rebels. The missile defence system is part of a broader strategy to protect Israeli citizens from the growing number of regional missile threats.
Continued Attacks and Israeli Retaliation
The missile intercepted on Thursday was the fifth launched by the Houthis in a span of just eight days. The rebels claimed to have targeted Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport with the missile. In retaliation, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, including the Hezyaz power plant and key infrastructure at Sanaa International Airport.
Over the past year, the Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and 170 drones aimed at Israel. The majority of these attacks were intercepted or failed to reach their intended targets. In addition to their missile strikes, the Houthis have disrupted commercial shipping in the Red Sea by targeting over 100 merchant vessels, forcing shipping companies to reroute their vessels for safety.
Houthi Attacks Linked to Gaza Conflict
The Houthi rebels have explicitly tied their missile attacks on Israel to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This conflict intensified following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas. The Iranian-backed Houthis continue to escalate tensions in the region, complicating an already volatile geopolitical situation.
As Israel continues to defend itself against these missile attacks, the deployment and success of the THAAD system represent a significant step in safeguarding the nation’s airspace and critical infrastructure.
