U.S. positioned F-16s, makes plans to send Iron Dome missile systems to Israel amid Hamas war

Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system intercepts a rocket above Tel Aviv on October 24, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images)

The Pentagon is in the planning stages of sending Iron Dome missile defense systems and has positioned F-16 fighter jets as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continues battling with Hamas terrorists.

A U.S. Department of Defense official confirmed the latest development to Fox News.

"The U.S. will be flowing additional Iron Dome support to Israel," the defense official said. "As a result, the Department of Defense is currently engaged in planning to support the provision of U.S. Iron Dome batteries to Israel."

"In addition to the capabilities that we've already announced, I can also confirm that the New Jersey Air National Guard's 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived within U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility today with additional F-16 fighting Falcon Squadron bolstering U.S. posture to deter further aggression in the region," a Pentagon official added.

Hamas terrorists have fired 3,000 rockets at Israel since October 7. According to the IDF, Israel's Iron Dome neutralized around 90% of the threats.

The system was first used in 2011. It can detect incoming projectiles from around 40 miles away.