Despite genocide, 'Israel' receives 3 more F-35s, fleet expands to 45

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 00:02
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"Israel" remains the only entity in the Middle East operating the fifth-generation aircraft.

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US Navy sailors stand beside a F-35 fighter jet on the deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington during joint exercises off the coast of Argentina, Thursday, May 30, 2024 (AP)

"Israel" has received three additional F-35 fighter jets, bringing its total fleet of the fifth-generation stealth aircraft to 45, the Israeli occupation military confirmed on Friday.

According to Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee, the newly delivered jets arrived at Nevatim Airbase in southern occupied Palestine on Thursday and will be incorporated into the Israeli Air Force’s 140th Squadron, Anadolu Agency reported.

“Since the beginning of the war, F-35 jets have been operating at an unprecedented pace,” Adraee stated.

"Israel" was the first entity in the world to acquire the F-35 through a foreign military sales agreement with the United States, having signed a letter of agreement in October 2010, according to Israeli public broadcaster KAN.

To date, "Israel" has signed contracts for the procurement of 75 F-35 aircraft, all manufactured by US defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

In June, the Israeli occupation signed a $3 billion agreement with the US to obtain a third squadron of the jets.

"Israel" remains the sole operator of the F-35 in the Middle East, maintaining exclusive regional access to one of the world’s most advanced multirole combat aircraft.

Moreover, in its war on Gaza, "Israel" has killed 51,439 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 117,416 others, since October 7, 2023.

200+ orgs urge nations to halt supply of F-35 parts to 'Israel'

In mid-February, over 200 global organizations called on nations involved in producing F-35 fighter jet parts to halt "all arms transfers to Israel" amid concerns that the planes were being used to violate international law.

A letter signed by 232 civil society organizations was sent to government ministers in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, the US, and the UK as the war in Gaza continues.

According to The Guardian, the letter read, "Israel is not committed to complying with international law," adding that "partners to the F-35 programme have individually and collectively failed to prevent these jets from being used to commit serious violations of international law by Israel."

It further said, "States have either been unwilling to observe their international legal obligations and/or claimed that the structure of the F-35 programme means that it is not possible to apply arms controls to any end-user, making the entire programme incompatible with international law."