Israel Lifts Ban on US Air Force Refueling Planes Landing at Ben Gurion Airport

Following a protest from the United States, Israel removed the restriction on US Air Force refueling planes landing at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday. Earlier that day, the Israel Airports Authority instructed air traffic control units to permit these landings, reversing Transport Minister Miri Regev's directive to ban refueling planes from landing at the airport. Regev's order had faced criticism from Israeli Defense Forces officials and the US Central Command. The initial ban was prompted by concerns from Ben Gurion Airport about parking space shortages during the summer vacation period, which could lead to flight cancellations. Despite these concerns and the Transport Minister's directive, the current escalation of tensions between the US and Iran has compelled the US military to maintain refueling planes and crews on full alert in Israel.