US CENTCOM commander, Israeli chief of staff discuss region
2 Min Read
The two officials discussed regional tensions with a focus on Lebanon and the escalations in Syria.
-
Israeli Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi attends a ceremony in occupied al-Quds, "Israel", on May 6, 2024. (AP)
Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, the head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), visited "Israel" to meet with Israeli Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and other security officials, CENTCOM announced on Saturday.
"On Dec. 11-13, Gen. Kurilla visited Israel at the invitation of LTG Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In addition to meeting with LTG Halevi and his staff, Gen. Kurilla met with the Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz, Maj Gen Ori Gordin, the Commander of the IDF's Northern Command, and Maj Gen Tomar Bar, the Israeli Air Force Commander," the central command said on X.
USCENTCOM Commander Visits Israel
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 14, 2024
On Dec. 11-13, Gen. Kurilla visited Israel at the invitation of LTG Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In addition to meeting with LTG Halevi and his staff, Gen. Kurilla met with the Israeli Minister of Defense… pic.twitter.com/n3uqQNP6ei
The statement said that the discussions focused on regional security issues, including the ongoing situation in Syria and preparedness against strategic and regional escalations.
It added that Kurilla visited the Northern Command headquarters to "gain a more thorough understanding" of the situation in Lebanon and the ongoing efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire between "Israel" and Lebanon.
"Israel's" security cabinet approved a US-brokered ceasefire with Lebanon in late November.
On December 8, militants entered Syria's capital, Damascus, taking over the capital and former President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia.
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he was ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people and affirmed that he is prepared to undertake a handover process.
In turn, Israeli media outlets reported on December 10 that, in less than two days, nearly 300 raids targeted Syria.
The Israeli occupation continued its aerial and ground aggression on Syria, carrying out several airstrikes over the past few hours, while also advancing in the southern parts of the country towards the capital, Damascus.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported on Friday that the Israeli airstrikes targeted Syrian Army sites and warehouses in the rural areas of Latakia and Tartus, as well as various locations including Masyaf, the outskirts of Damascus, and the Qalamoun Mountains.
