Foreign Relations

CENTCOM Objects to Israel's Halt on Additional U.S. Refueler Landings

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Illustrative public-domain photograph of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker on a flight line

Senior U.S. Central Command officials objected after Transportation Minister Miri Regev temporarily halted additional American aerial-refueling aircraft from landing at Ben Gurion Airport. They said the restriction directly harms U.S. operational needs during the renewed escalation with Iran, where the tankers support regional deterrence and defense. Four additional refuelers arrived overnight, bringing the number parked at Ben Gurion to 33, while Israel and the United States had previously agreed to a cap of 20. Israeli defense officials backed the American operational case, while the Transportation Ministry cited severe pressure on civilian-aircraft parking during the summer travel season.

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