The Israeli military said that most of the missiles were intercepted, but a number struck central and southern Israel. The Israeli military has confirmed that most of the missiles were intercepted. However, some did strike central and southern Israel. Israel has not yet announced its response to the attack. However, Defence Minister Yoav Galant has stated that it will be “deadly precise and above-all It sent a Thaad Battery to Israel for training and an exercise in air defence in 2019. But the US deploying a team to Israel is rare. It had said that it would cease firing if there were a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. However, international efforts have failed to get Israel to agree to such a truce. What is Thaad? The US announcement highlights its growing concern over ballistic missiles that target Israel. The system is highly effective against short-medium and long-range targets. Lockheed Martin manufactures the system. Thaad missiles, which have a reported range of up to 200km (124 miles), are of a “hit to kill” variety, rather than using proximity detonation to bring down targets.Israel’s missile defence comprises the Iron Dome for short-range rockets, David’s Sling for longer range weapons and cruise missiles, plus Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 against ballistic missiles launched from over 1,000km (621 miles) away.Countering ballistic missiles threats is particularly difficult because of those missiles’ high speed and the rapid rate of change of aspect in flight – particularly during their terminal phase.According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Hezbollah in Lebanon has some 150,000 rockets – mainly supplied by Iran – at its disposal.What we know about Iran’s missile attack on IsraelHow could Israel respond, and what might Iran do then?What Israel’s latest attacks tell us about Netanyahu’s next moveIsraelHezbollahIran