Israel Ready to Deploy Entire Air Force Against Iran if Needed

JAKARTA - The new Chief of Staff of the Israel Air Force (IAF) Major General Omer Tischler ensured readiness to deploy the entire fleet of the country's fighter jets to fight Iran, if necessary.

Major General Tischler officially took office as the IAF Chief of Staff, replacing Major General Tomer Bar in a handover ceremony at Tel Nof Airbase, led by the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir on Tuesday.

"We are closely monitoring developments in Iran and are ready to deploy the entire air force to the east if necessary," Major General Tischler said, launching Al Arabiya from AFP (6/5).

He spoke weeks after a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East war, which erupted when Israel and the United States launched an attack on Iran on February 28.

"The air force will continue to act with determination, strength, and responsibility against threats in every arena, at every stage, and against every enemy," he explained.

Born in 1975 in northern Israel, Maj. Gen. Tischler is a career aviator who rose through the ranks as a fighter pilot and commander.

Meanwhile, speaking at the handover ceremony, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the country remained "on high alert on all fronts."

He said the military was "ready to respond with force to any attempt to harm Israel."

It is known that since Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Israeli Air Force has carried out a wide and sustained air campaign on various fronts, particularly in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.