10 more U.S. military planes head to Israel, straining airport operations

Ten more U.S. military aerial refueling aircraft are heading to Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport, escalating the number of U.S. military planes stationed there to 40. This influx is exacerbating operational challenges at one of the region's busiest air transport hubs.

The additional aircraft will join the 30 U.S. military refueling planes already present at the airport. Israel Airports Authority officials have warned that this military presence is placing immense pressure on airport operations, leading to approximately two-hour delays for civilian flights over recent days. The situation is expected to worsen with the arrival of the new planes.

Earlier, on July 15, Israel's Ministry of Transportation announced an agreement with Washington to reduce the number of U.S. military refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport to 20 by July 21. The remaining planes were slated for transfer to an Israeli Air Force base. However, this latest development indicates a departure from that plan.

The increased U.S. military presence in Israel comes at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Israeli media reported on Saturday that the Israeli defense forces are preparing for the possibility of a large-scale U.S. attack on Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously warned of a "great and overwhelming" strike against Iran, adding to a week of escalating rhetoric from both governments suggesting imminent military action.