The B-1 is a strategic bomber that was not originally designed to provide direct air support to ground forces, which was the mission in this instance.
VOA: standard.2009.06.08
"What this means is that if you have a cement factory in three or four countries, you may have to travel from country A to country B via Paris, London or Dubai rather than direct, " says Peaford, editor-in-chief of Arabian Aerospace magazine and online news service.
There shall be freedom of transit for French goods through Haifa and by the British railway through the brown area, whether those goods are intended for or originate in the blue area, area (a), or area (b), and there shall be no discrimination, direct or indirect, against French goods on any railway, or against French goods or ships at any port serving the areas mentioned.