Monday Briefing: The U.S. to Deploy Troops to Israel

The Pentagon said that it was sending an advanced missile defense system to Israel, along with about 100 American troops to operate it. It is the first deployment of U.S. forces to Israel since the Hamas-led attacks there on Oct. 7, 2023.

The move will put American troops operating the system, a ground-based interceptor designed to defend against ballistic missiles, closer to the widening war in the Middle East. It comes after Iran launched about 200 missiles, including ballistic missiles, at Israel on Oct. 1 and as Israel plans its retaliation.

When asked about it on Sunday, President Biden said only that he had ordered the Pentagon to deploy the system “to defend Israel.”

In Israel: Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a drone strike against a military base in northern Israel that injured dozens.

In the West Bank: We rode along on two bus trips, one for Israelis, the other for Palestinians, that tell a story of separate and unequal roadways.

Investigation: Secret documents show Hamas tried to get Iran to join the attacks last Oct. 7.