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US Central Command’s top official, Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, has arrived in Tel Aviv for “high-level meetings with Israel’s military leadership,” as confirmed by a Pentagon statement. Among those he met was Israeli Chief of Defense Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.

The primary objectives of Kurilla’s trip, as outlined by the Pentagon, were to comprehend Israel’s defense necessities, articulate US assistance efforts to preclude the conflict’s expansion, and reconfirm the Department of Defense’s unwavering backing for Israel.

In a statement, Kurilla emphasized, “I’m here to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself.” Since Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in significant casualties, the US military has augmented its presence in the region. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has mobilized 2,000 US troops to provide advisory and medical support to Israel.

In addition, the Pentagon dispatched two carrier strike groups to the Eastern Mediterranean as a preventive measure against potential foreign intervention. Additionally, the US has supplied munitions and interceptors for Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, reinforcing the region with US fighter jets.
This comes as President Biden is scheduled to be in Israel tomorrow.