Transportation Ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken said Tuesday that the crisis involving American refuelers at Ben Gurion Airport is close to being solved. Speaking on Kan News' "Tzva HaKesef," he said, "I believe it will happen within 24 hours."
Ben Zaken said Transportation Minister Miri Regev spoke Tuesday with the defense minister and other security officials. According to him, they understood that at least 24 additional aircraft are needed to allow flights for thousands of ticket holders whose trips could be canceled in July and August.
He said he expects there will be no flight cancellations during the summer. Ben Zaken also stressed Israel's appreciation for the United States' role, saying, "We are grateful to the Americans and appreciate the activity of the United States Army and the American Air Force shoulder to shoulder with the IDF."
At the same time, he said the ministry is working to do everything possible to remove the refuelers from the airfield. The comments suggest the ministry believes a solution is imminent, though no final decision was announced.