US Expands Military Airlift to Israel Amid Regional Instability
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (Kan) has reported that the United States is reinforcing its military presence in the occupied territories through an “aerial bridge,” involving the dispatch of dozens of refueling aircraft, fighter jets, and shipments of ammunition and weaponry. This move is a direct response to the growing insecurity observed at U.S. military bases across the region in recent weeks, prompting a significant portion of the U.S. military contingent in the area to relocate to occupied territories.
During the past two weeks, approximately 90 American refueling aircraft have landed at Israeli air bases and Ben Gurion Airport, according to disclosures from Israeli military sources. The Israeli media entity, attempting to frame the current situation as a prelude to a wider conflict against Iran and thereby obscure the withdrawal of U.S. Air Force personnel from bases in Arab countries, asserts that these military movements are reminiscent of those preceding hostilities against Iran.
In a related development, the “Walla” website, citing an unnamed source from the Israeli Air Force, reported that the U.S. military intends to station 100 refueling aircraft at military bases and Ramon Airport in the southern occupied territories. This influx of American refueling aircraft and their deployment at Israeli airports has become a point of contention within the Israeli government. While some security ministers deem these deployments essential for military support to Tel Aviv, other ministers and Israeli figures have raised concerns regarding the operational disruptions caused by these tankers at Israeli airports.
These developments have led Israeli officials to warn of potential disruptions to civilian flights throughout the summer travel season. Sharon Kedmi, Director General of the Israel Airports Authority, highlighted the possibility of canceling over 50,000 flight tickets, stating, “These delays have immediate and dangerous operational consequences.” Moshel Ben Zaken, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Transport, further stated, “Authorities will not allow more American refueling planes to land at the airport.” He added that “the Israeli Air Traffic Control Unit has been instructed not to approve any further requests for the landing of these aircraft.”
