U.S. Central Command head Gen. Erik Kurilla arrived in Israel on Sunday, where he met separately with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.
Kurilla and Halevi held a situational assessment where they discussed the current threats, with an emphasis on the northern front with Lebanon and Iran.
The CENTCOM chief also met with Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, commander of IDF Northern Command. They held a situational assessment in the commander’s “pit,” or command and control center, where Kurilla was presented with the Israeli military’s operational plans for Lebanon.
“The IDF will continue to deepen the relationship with the United States Army out of a commitment to strengthening regional stability and coordination between the armies,” the IDF said.
Kurilla, Gallant discuss Mideast situation
During Kurilla’s meeting with Gallant, the two men talked about ways to strengthen the U.S.-Israel military alliance against common threats in the Middle East.
“Discussed the operational and strategic situation in the region with @CENTCOM Commander General Kurilla, and reflected on ways to further strengthen interoperability to achieve our common objectives,” Gallant tweeted after the meeting.
“Israeli and American troops work closely together to deter common threats posed by Iran and its proxies. Together we are stronger,” he added.
Kurilla previously met with Gallant in Israel on Aug. 5. That trip came as U.S. forces mobilized to defend Israel from major attacks expected from Iran and Hezbollah that so far have not materialized, at least from Tehran. Israeli aerial forces carried out a massive preemptive strike against Hezbollah in Lebanon in late August after detecting preparations for a large-scale attack.
