Caught on camera: Israeli fighter jet refuels mid-air over Syria; likely on way back after Iran strike

A video circulating online showed a rare glimpse into the Israeli military’s long-range operations: an Israeli Air Force F-16 fighter jet refueling mid-air from a Boeing 707 tanker over Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province.

The footage, reportedly captured by local Syrian sources, is believed to have been taken during the return leg of Israel’s high-stakes strike on Iranian military and nuclear sites on Friday.Deir ez-Zor, in northeastern Syria, lies along the flight path between Israel and central Iran, suggesting Syria’s airspace played a critical corridor role in the mission.Syrian officials responded to Friday’s developments by temporarily closing national airspace until 3 pm local time “as a precautionary measure” amid the heightened conflict.

While neither Israel nor Syria has officially confirmed the video’s authenticity, the apparent aerial refueling underscores the complex logistics behind Israel's long-range strike capability, particularly over 2,000 kilometers into Iranian territory and back.Meanwhile, global airlines cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran and other Middle East destinations, or rerouted planes.