Israeli Air Force sources said the United States will deploy approximately 100 aerial refueling tankers at Ben Gurion Airport and across Israeli air force bases, according to the report. The deployment would be the largest reported US tanker presence in Israel, though no timeline was given.
On Sunday, July 19, Israeli Air Force sources told Israeli media that the United States plans to station approximately 100 aerial refueling tankers at Ben Gurion Airport and across Israeli Air Force bases. This is the largest reported number of US tankers in Israel to date, surpassing the previous reports of “dozens.” No timeline for the deployment has been given.
The buildup has unfolded over several days. On July 14, The Zioneer reported that Washington had frozen the withdrawal of 33 tankers from Ben Gurion and added four more, with aviation officials warning of potential flight cancellations. Later that day, six additional tankers were deployed overnight. On July 18, a senior Israeli official said “dozens” of tankers would return to Israel. Later that evening, reports said the tankers had arrived and were being diverted to Israeli Air Force bases and Ramon Airport to ease congestion at Ben Gurion. Transport Minister Miri Regev then confirmed that dozens of US tankers were en route and would land at air force bases, not at Ben Gurion, stating that Ben Gurion is not a military base.
The deployments are part of a US military buildup amid escalating tensions with Iran, as The Zioneer has reported. The presence of US tankers has been widely seen as contingency preparation for a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear program. The new figure of 100 tankers, if accurate, would represent a significant escalation in the US posture.
The timeline for the 100 tankers was not specified. The report relies on anonymous Israeli Air Force sources and has not been independently corroborated. Earlier reports of “dozens” also came from anonymous officials, though Minister Regev’s statement was on the record.
5 developments
- DevelopingUS military deployed ~6 additional refueling aircraft across Israel overnight
- StrongAxios: US sending dozens of additional refueling aircraft to Israel as Trump weighs wider Iran strikes
- StrongTrump orders additional US refueling aircraft to be stationed at Israeli air bases, report says
- StrongUS military to relocate ~20% of refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport ahead of Iran deal
Source and signal
- Internal intake