Channel 14 reports more than 80 U.S. aerial refueling tankers are now in Israel amid renewed military buildup

More than 80 U.S. aerial refueling tankers are now deployed in Israel, according to Israel’s Channel 14, as Washington expands its military airlift across the Middle East amid preparations for possible renewed action against Iran.

Channel 14 said the buildup had accelerated over the past 48 hours and was taking place alongside the arrival of at least 10 U.S. heavy transport aircraft in Israel.

The reported tanker figure has not been confirmed by the Pentagon, the Israeli military or another major news organization.

It is also unclear whether all 80-plus tankers arrived in the latest deployment or whether the figure represents the total number currently positioned across Israeli airfields.

The reported presence would nevertheless mark a substantial increase from recent months. Channel 14 reported in September that 19 U.S. refueling aircraft remained at Ben Gurion Airport, while some tanker operations had also shifted to Ramon Airport.

Earlier in the war, the U.S. maintained much larger tanker deployments in Israel. Israeli reporting put the total at roughly 98 aircraft in June, including 72 at Ben Gurion and 26 at Ramon.

Separately, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported this week that at least 10 U.S. military transport aircraft had landed at Israeli bases within 24 hours, with some believed to be carrying air-defense equipment.

An Israeli source told Kan that Washington and Israel were “preparing for any decision that President Trump makes,” as the White House weighs possible renewed military action against Iran while diplomatic contacts continue in parallel.