Israel is preparing to receive additional U.S. aerial refueling aircraft, according to an Israeli military official, as the United States and Iran have intensified strikes in the region over the past week. This development comes amid heightened concerns of a broader conflict following the collapse of a recent interim ceasefire agreement.
The U.S. military has opted to adjust its regional force posture, reinforcing the existing fleet of aerial refueling aircraft stationed in Israel with new additions. A senior Israeli official indicated that dozens of these U.S. refueling planes are anticipated to arrive in the country. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has not yet provided immediate comment.
Since U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran commenced on February 28, the U.S. has maintained a significant presence of dozens of refueling aircraft in Israel. Reports from Friday, citing three U.S. and Israeli officials, suggested the Trump administration had notified Israel of its intention to deploy additional refueling planes in anticipation of potential military operations against Iran.
To mitigate disruptions to civilian air traffic and based on operational and logistical requirements, the U.S. has chosen to station some of the refueling aircraft at Israeli Air Force bases in addition to commercial airports. Previously, in May, Sharon Kedmi, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority, stated that 70% of activity at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's primary air hub, was constrained due to the space and resources allocated to U.S. military activities. Subsequently, the U.S. agreed to relocate some aircraft to Israeli Air Force bases, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport.
As of June 25, a total of 98 U.S. military aircraft were stationed in Israel, according to the spokesperson.
