Israel Tests a New 'Ballistic Missile System'

Israeli media reports that a new ballistic missile system has been tested, which foreign military sources describe as having nuclear capabilities. The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced the missile launch early on Monday, June 8, stating it was 'part of a predetermined program.' According to Israeli media, the military base in question was 'Palmahim' on the Mediterranean coast. The Ministry of Defense described the launch as 'successful' without providing details about the missile or its specifications. However, Israeli media, citing foreign sources, reported that the missile launch was related to the 'Jericho' type missile, which has a nuclear-capable warhead. According to these reports, the new missile launched is a ground-to-ground type with a range of up to four thousand kilometers. Israel's Channel Two television stated on Monday evening: 'Behind the short, dry statement from the Ministry of Defense, a significant story is unfolding.' A military expert from the channel noted that Israel 'occasionally upgrades and tests its nuclear missile capabilities.' The channel also published a one-minute video of smoke rising over the Mediterranean coast in central Israel, describing it as the initial moments of the missile launch on Monday. The video, taken by eyewitnesses from inside a car, shows the missile moving in an arc for a short distance before turning vertically and rapidly ascending into the sky. According to the Israeli newspaper Hayom, the country had previously tested such missile systems twice in 2013 and 2015, and this week's launch was a test of a more modern system. Foreign media reported that the 2013 launch involved the testing of a nuclear 'Jericho' missile. The website of the Maariv newspaper also noted that two months ago, during an airstrike on a Syrian military base aimed at targeting newly arrived shipments from Iran for Hezbollah, Israel used the long-range 'Khetz' ('Arrow') missile for the first time when its fighter jets were threatened by Syrian air defense missiles. The 'Khetz' missile is part of Israel's military capability against long-range missiles from the Islamic Republic of Iran, such as the 'Shahab-3.' According to Maariv, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, MDA, is involved in projects to enhance Israel's missile defense capabilities based on a military agreement from 2014. Israel deliberately keeps its military nuclear capabilities ambiguous. Former Israeli President Shimon Peres, who is referred to as the founder of the Dimona nuclear reactor, stated that the deliberate ambiguity in Israel's military nuclear capabilities has increased the country's deterrence so that hostile countries cannot threaten Israel. Nevertheless, Israel claims that its existence is threatened by Iran's nuclear program and long-range missile capabilities. The U.S. President stated during a visit to Israel last Tuesday, June 2, 'As long as Donald J. Trump is President of the United States, Iran or any other entity cannot threaten Israel.' The new missile capability test occurred six days after the conclusion of Mr. Trump's visit to the country.