As Iran reportedly primes proxy networks and hardens its northern front, U.S. military aircraft have quietly appeared at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. KC refuelers and C-17 cargo planes lined up on the tarmac without formal comment, even as the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group moves closer to Haifa. Meanwhile, Washington has begun pulling staff from Beirut amid rising fears of escalation. With intercepted chatter hinting at coordinated proxy activity and American assets surging across the region, the Middle East appears to be entering a dangerous new phase. Is this precaution — or prelude?