Jerusalem, Israel. Israel is preparing to receive additional US aerial refuelling aircraft as US and Iranian attacks have escalated over the past week, an Israeli military official said on Sunday. Israel has not joined the latest US attacks.
US force posture
The official said the United States had decided to adjust its force posture in the region and reinforce the existing fleet of aerial refuelling aircraft stationed in Israel.
A second senior Israeli official said dozens of US refuelling aircraft were expected to arrive. The US Embassy in Jerusalem was not immediately available for comment.
Since the conflict began with US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, the United States has stationed dozens of refuelling aircraft in Israel.
Escalating strikes
The United States and Iran have intensified strikes after an interim ceasefire agreement signed a month ago collapsed, raising the prospect of a return to full-scale war.
Axios reported on Friday, citing three US and Israeli officials, that the Trump administration had informed Israel it was sending dozens more refuelling planes ahead of a potential expansion of military operations against Iran.
Impact on civilian aviation
The Israeli military official said the United States chose to station some refuelling aircraft at Israeli Air Force bases and commercial airports to minimise disruption to civilian air traffic, citing operational and logistical considerations.
In May, Sharon Kedmi, director general of the authority, said activity at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international gateway, had been reduced by 70% because US military activity was using space and resources. A spokesperson for Transport Minister Miri Regev said the United States later agreed to move some aircraft to Israeli Air Force bases.
