The IDF confirmed on Saturday that US Air Force aerial refueling tankers will be stationed at Israeli Air Force bases, according to a report. The brief statement did not specify the number of aircraft or the timeline for the deployment.
The IDF on Saturday confirmed that US Air Force aerial refueling tankers will be stationed at Israeli Air Force bases, marking the first official Israeli acknowledgment of the deployment. The brief statement did not specify the number of aircraft, their destinations, or the timeline.
The confirmation follows a flurry of reports on Friday evening (Jul 17, 19:05 Jerusalem). That evening, multiple Israeli journalists and officials reported that the Trump administration had informed Israel it would send dozens of additional refueling aircraft to the region. One source cited by i24NEWS said 10 aircraft were expected within a day; journalist Nitzan Shapira reported that five were already en route, with dozens more to follow. Reports initially stated the aircraft would not be based at Ben Gurion Airport, but later that evening, the US was said to prefer Ben Gurion due to lower exposure to Iranian attacks. A senior IDF officer confirmed the arrival, saying it was part of preparations for a potential escalation with Iran. However, by the end of Friday, the IDF Spokesperson had not yet responded to the reports.
The development adds to the ongoing US military presence in Israel, which has been building over recent weeks. As The Zioneer reported on July 14, the US military deployed approximately six additional refueling aircraft across Israel overnight, and a senior Israeli official described the US demand for tankers as 'justified and integral to the joint deployment against Iran'. On July 7, reports indicated that the US planned to relocate about 20% of its tankers from Ben Gurion to ease congestion.
The number of aircraft, the specific bases where they will be stationed, and the duration of the deployment remain unconfirmed by the IDF.
15 developments
- DevelopingMultiple US aerial refueling tankers depart Middle East
- StrongBlumenthal: US returning refueling tankers to Middle East, Israel after last night's US-Iran fire exchange
- StrongReport: Significant increase in US Air Force aircraft movements to the Middle East
- DevelopingUS military deployed ~6 additional refueling aircraft across Israel overnight
Source and signal
- Internal intake