Transportation Minister Miri Regev announced Wednesday that the dispute over the U.S. refueling aircraft stationed at Ben Gurion Airport has been resolved, saying the number of refueling tankers parked at the airport will be reduced by next Tuesday to 20, with the remaining aircraft relocated to Israeli Air Force bases designated by the Defense Ministry, Ynet reported.

The Defense Ministry, however, said no final agreement has yet been reached. Officials stressed that discussions are still underway and that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will ultimately have to make the final decision.

The issue sparked a heated exchange during Tuesday night’s security cabinet meeting after senior IDF officials argued that the U.S. request to keep the aircraft at Ben Gurion was justified.

“With all due respect, we have to balance security needs with civilian needs,” Regev told Defense Minister Yisrael Katz. “If we were at war, there wouldn’t even be a question. But we’re not at war, and under these circumstances we cannot harm civilians.”

Regev argued that alternative locations are available for the aircraft.

“You don’t seem to care that civilians are being affected,” she told Katz. “The Air Force isn’t making enough of an effort.”

Katz responded, “We’re trying, but it’s complicated. We’ve done what we can.”

Regev warned that if the tankers are not relocated as planned, it will significantly impair civilian air travel.

As an interim measure, National Security Council chief Shmuel Ben Ezra was instructed to arrange for the immediate relocation of four tankers.

During the meeting, Netanyahu instructed Regev, Katz, and Ben Ezra to resolve the matter.

“We need to settle this,” Netanyahu said. “We have to remember this is a civilian airport, and the IDF needs to find another location for the refueling aircraft.”

The dispute erupted after the planned relocation of the U.S. tankers was suspended, delaying efforts to free aircraft parking stands for civilian aviation during the peak summer travel season.

There are currently 33 U.S. refueling aircraft parked at Ben Gurion Airport, occupying parking positions also used by commercial aircraft.

The US strongly objected to Israel’s decision to bar additional refueling aircraft from landing at Ben Gurion, arguing that it undermines the operational needs of American forces in the region amid the current escalation with Iran.

U.S. officials emphasized that the refueling aircraft are a critical component of America’s regional deterrence and defense posture.

A senior Israeli military official echoed that assessment, telling Ynet: “The American request is justified. The refueling aircraft are a strategic U.S. asset in the region and an integral part of the joint U.S.-Israeli posture against Iran. Operationally, it is important that they be able to operate under the conditions set by the Americans.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)