US eyeing long-term military buildup in Israel – report

US military forces deployed to Israel likely to remain in the country for the foreseeable future, sources say.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli defense officials believe the United States is considering moving forces from other countries in the region to Israel, or at least keeping a significant number of troops in the country over the long term, according to a report published on Sunday by Israel Hayom.

The assessment follows close cooperation between the Israeli military and the US military during Operation Roaring Lion. Israeli officials said the war removed barriers between the two militaries and gave US officers a close look at Israel’s operational capabilities, especially those of the Israeli Air Force.

Unlike other countries in the region, Israel does not restrict US military activity, including offensive operations, the report said.

A senior source told Israel Hayom that some US forces currently in Israel are unlikely to leave soon.

“There are American forces here that will not move in the near or even distant future,” the source said. “They learned that Israel is a convenient fortress for operations — a country relatively far from the main threats and well protected by air defense systems.”

The source said Israel’s lack of limits on US activity gives it an advantage over other regional hosts.

“Unlike other countries that restrict takeoffs for offensive activity or impose various conditions, in Israel there are no such restrictions,” the source said.

Israeli defense officials believe Washington is drafting new Middle East policy documents that could recommend a permanent US military presence in Israel.

“It is still unclear whether this means defense batteries, fighter squadrons or other components,” a defense source said. “But it is not impossible that the next US base in the region will be in Israel.”

During the operation, US personnel reportedly worked from Israel’s underground command center, known as “the pit,” while senior Israeli Air Force officers spent time in the United States. The exchanges exposed both sides to each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

In a conversation between outgoing Israeli Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar and his US counterpart, the head of AFCENT, the American commander reportedly said the current level of cooperation is the new “zero point,” and that there is no intention of moving backward from it.

Israeli defense officials said military coordination between the two countries remains complete, despite differences over policy in some arenas.

“There is no scenario in which one side will be surprised by the activity of the other,” the officials said.

They added that coordination also remains close between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, although the two governments do not fully agree on every issue, particularly regarding Lebanon and Iran.

US militaryUS-Irael relations