14 US refueling planes arrive in Israel

Amid renewed tensions in the Middle East over Iran, Israeli media reported that 14 US military refueling planes arrived in Israel over the weekend.

The Israeli-based media outlet Walla quoted an Air Force official as saying that the US is planning to deploy a total of 100 refueling planes to Israeli military bases and the southern Ramon airport.

The official, who did not want to be named, said, “If the US intensifies its military campaign against Iran, more refueling planes will need to be deployed to Israel. In that case, these planes could also land at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.”

The report said that at least 33 US refueling planes are currently stationed at Ben Gurion Airport. Israel has previously warned that civil aviation could be disrupted due to potential security situations during the summer travel season.

However, Israel has not released any official information on the total number of US refueling planes currently in Israel.

Earlier on Saturday, Israel's state-run Kan reported that President Donald Trump's administration had informed Israel of plans to redeploy US military forces in the Middle East.

According to the report, more refueling planes are being sent to Israel as part of the plan. Some of the planes have already arrived at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, and several more are scheduled to arrive at various military bases.

Regional tensions surrounding Iran have increased since the joint military operation between the US and Israel in February this year. In response, Tehran launched drone and missile attacks targeting countries with US military installations in the Gulf region.

Although Washington and Tehran reached a memorandum of understanding last month, brokered by Pakistan, aimed at ending the conflict and establishing a long-term peace, the two sides have again exchanged attacks and counterattacks over the Strait of Hormuz last week, creating new tensions across the region.

Source: Middle East Monitor