The United States is reportedly sending 10 additional aerial refueling aircraft to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, a move that would increase the number of American tanker planes stationed there to 40 as military tensions with Iran continue to intensify.

According to Israel’s Calcalist newspaper, the incoming aircraft will join approximately 30 U.S. refueling planes already positioned at Ben Gurion Airport.

The report, citing the Israel Airports Authority, said the unprecedented military presence has placed heavy strain on airport operations. Officials said the large number of tanker aircraft has contributed to civil flight delays of roughly two hours in recent days, with disruptions expected to increase once the additional planes arrive.

The timing is especially challenging, the report noted, because July and August are traditionally the busiest travel months at Israel’s main international airport.

The buildup comes despite an earlier effort to reduce the military footprint at Ben Gurion. On July 15, Israel’s Transportation Ministry announced that it had reached an agreement with U.S. officials to cut the number of American refueling aircraft at the airport to 20 by July 21, with the remaining planes to be transferred to Israeli Air Force bases.

U.S. tanker aircraft have been operating from Ben Gurion Airport and other locations throughout Israel since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran on Feb. 28.

The latest deployment follows growing reports in the Israeli media that both Washington and Jerusalem are making military preparations amid rapidly escalating tensions with Tehran.

Israeli news outlets reported on Shabbos that Israel’s defense establishment is preparing for the possibility of a major U.S. military strike against Iran. The reports came one day after President Donald Trump warned that the United States would hit Iran “very hard.”

{Matzav.com}