Trump administration approves possible 4.5 bln USD sale of KC-46A refueling aircraft to Qatar

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has approved a possible sale of KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft and related equipment to Qatar for an estimated 4.5 billion U.S. dollars, the U.S. State Department said in a statement on Thursday.

Qatar has requested to purchase up to four KC-46A aircraft, along with eight PW4062 turbofan engines, including four spares, radar warning receivers, infrared countermeasure systems, and other equipment and support services, according to the statement.

Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces, the statement said, adding the proposed sale "will not alter the basic military balance in the region."

Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye, the mediating countries in the Gaza conflict, on Thursday condemned the latest Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

In a joint statement, the three countries expressed deep concern over the ongoing violations in the enclave, warning that Israel's escalating attacks undermine regional and international efforts to end the Gaza conflict.

The statement stressed the need for Israel to fully comply with all its obligations under the ceasefire agreement and refrain from any actions that further escalate tensions.

The three mediators also called on the international community and the U.S.-led "Board of Peace" to exert effective pressure on Israel to prevent further escalation, it added.

Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy on Thursday denounced Israel as a "rogue state," accusing it of disregarding international law and repeatedly violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other nations.

In a statement, Fahmy cited Israel's continued settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, warning that the lack of effective accountability continues to embolden Israel to act outside the law.

The comments follow ongoing Israeli bombardment of the enclave and a fresh diplomatic push for the Gaza ceasefire plan.

On Wednesday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a Hamas-run municipal police headquarters in central Gaza City, killing at least nine Palestinians, including a woman, according to Palestinian sources.