U.S. Sending Iron Dome Interceptors to Israel

The Pentagon's announcement today signals a swift response to Hamas' blitz attacks, as they commit to sending weapons, including interceptors for the Iron Dome air defense system, to Israel.

President Joe Biden stated, "My team has been in near-constant communication with our Israeli partners and partners all across the region and the world from the moment this crisis began. We're surging additional military assistance, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish Iron Dome. We are going to make sure that Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens."

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed that military supplies are already flowing into Israel, with interceptors for the Iron Dome missile defense shield leading the way. He said, "We will be flowing in additional Iron Dome interceptors so that the Israelis have the capabilities they need to sustain their Iron Dome defense systems. We're also looking at other ways that we can help augment their air defense capabilities."

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, assuring him that the U.S. response to the events will be swift, decisive, and overwhelming.

The Hamas attack has been exceptionally brutal, with hundreds of Israeli civilians killed and thousands wounded in the surprise attack out of Gaza that began on Saturday.

President Biden also announced that he will ask Congress "to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners. This is not about party or politics; this is about the security of our world and the security of the United States of America."

The United States has also enhanced its military force posture in the region to strengthen deterrence. The Department of Defense (DOD) has moved the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean and bolstered the presence of fighter aircraft in the region.

Pentagon blames Iran

Sullivan stated that Iran "is complicit in this attack, in a broad sense," meaning Iran has long funded, trained, and supplied Hamas. He added, "Iranian leaders have provided capabilities, support, and have had engagement in contact with Hamas over years and years. All of that has played a role in contributing to what we have seen now. As for the question of whether Iran knew about this attack in advance or helped plan or direct this attack, we do not, as of the moment, have confirmation."

Israel's Iron Dome, created by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, uses radar and advanced tech to track incoming rockets and mortars. It figures out if the rockets are heading for people, and if they are, it shoots interceptors called Tamir at them. If the rockets aren't a danger, they're allowed to fall in empty areas.

Iron Dome can stop rockets from 2.5 to 43 miles away. The interceptors cost around $100,000 each, but some estimates say they're cheaper, like $40,000 - $50,000 each.

Israel has at least 10 Iron Dome units across the country. Each one guards a 60-square-mile area with three launchers, each holding up to 20 Tamir interceptor missiles. The units can be moved as needed.