US Considers Long-Term Military Presence in Israel After Wartime Cooperation

The United States is weighing whether to keep a larger military presence in Israel over the long term, according to Israeli security officials.

The review comes after close cooperation between the US military and the IDF during Operation Roaring Lion, when American personnel operated from Israel’s underground central command center, known as “the pit.”

Israeli officials believe the experience gave the Americans a deeper look at Israel’s operational strengths, especially the Israeli Air Force, as well as areas where the IDF still has weaknesses.

Israel Seen as a Strong Regional Base

According to the report, one major reason Israel stands out is that it places no operational limits on US military activity.

In other countries in the region, Washington can face restrictions on takeoffs, offensive missions, or other military moves. Israeli officials say that is not the case in Israel.

A senior official described Israel as a practical and well-defended location for American operations, saying US forces already in the country are not expected to leave soon.

Cooperation Reaches a New Level

During the operation, Israeli and American forces reportedly removed many of the usual barriers between them.

US personnel worked inside Israel’s main command center, while senior Israeli Air Force officers were in the United States and gained a closer look at American military capabilities.

In a discussion between outgoing Israeli Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar and the head of AFCENT, the American commander reportedly said the current level of cooperation is now the starting point, not a temporary wartime arrangement.

New US Policy Documents Being Drafted

Israeli defense officials believe new American policy documents on the Middle East are now being prepared.

Those documents may include a recommendation to keep a permanent US military presence in Israel. It is not yet clear what that would include.

Possible options could involve air defense batteries, fighter squadrons, or other military assets. One Israeli security official said it is possible that America’s next major regional base could be in Israel.

Coordination Remains Strong Despite Differences

Israeli officials say there are still disagreements between Jerusalem and Washington over some regional issues, especially regarding Lebanon and Iran.

Even so, defense officials say military coordination remains very close. They said there is no scenario in which one side would be caught off guard by the other’s actions.

Officials also said coordination continues at the diplomatic level between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, even when the two sides do not fully agree on every front.

A Strategic Shift in the US-Israel Alliance

If the United States moves toward a long-term presence in Israel, it would mark a major step in the defense relationship between the two allies.

For Washington, Israel offers a secure, advanced, and reliable base of operations in a dangerous region.

For Israel, a larger American presence would send a clear message to Iran and its terror proxies: the US-Israel security partnership is not weakening. It is growing stronger.

The final decision has not been made public, but the direction is clear. Operation Roaring Lion appears to have pushed military cooperation between Israel and the United States into a new phase.