A restriction preventing US military refueling aircraft from landing at Ben Gurion Airport was lifted shortly ago, following an American protest conveyed to Israeli officials, according to reports. The move signals continued US-Israeli logistical coordination amid broader regional military operations.
The restriction on US military refueling aircraft landing at Ben Gurion Airport has been lifted, according to a report. The decision came after an American protest was conveyed to Israeli officials, though the specific terms of the previous restriction and the nature of the protest have not been disclosed. The development follows a day of rapid back-and-forth on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Transportation Minister Miri Regev directed that no additional US tankers land at Ben Gurion beyond the 20 already there, citing the risk of commercial flight cancellations (The Zioneer, 14:06 Jerusalem). Within hours, a US tanker landed despite the directive after its pilot reported a fuel shortage, and the Ministry of Transportation later clarified that the aircraft were permitted for refueling only, not parking (The Zioneer, 14:06 Jerusalem). These events set the stage for the American protest and the subsequent lifting of the restriction.
The Zioneer has reported extensively on the presence of US refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion since June, including a fuel-truck crisis, a parking shortage, and the stationing of dozens of tankers amid aerial operations against Iran. Last month, a solution was reached to move some aircraft to air bases, and the US kept 33 tankers at the airport despite warnings of summer ticket cancellations (The Zioneer, Jun 16–Jul 14).
The specific details of the American protest and the revised terms for US aircraft operations at Ben Gurion remain unclear. It is also uncertain whether the lifting of the restriction will affect the summer flight schedule or the broader logistical coordination between the US and Israel.
8 developments
- DevelopingFuel-truck crisis at Ben Gurion Airport resolved, no flight cancellations expected
- DevelopingMinister Regev warns airlines forced to cancel flights starting Tuesday due to fuel truck shortage
- DevelopingRegev: Ben Gurion operating normally, US refuelers not returning amid evacuation
- StrongReport: CENTCOM-Regev row reaches Netanyahu, i24NEWS says
Source and signal
- Internal intake