JERUSALEM

The head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Kurilla, held talks on Wednesday with Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi to discuss regional developments amid an anticipated cease-fire deal in Gaza.

Kurilla arrived in Israel on Monday for talks with top Israeli military officials on the latest regional developments.

An Israeli military statement said the two commanders held a strategic meeting that focused on the regional situational assessment and examined courses of action “to address threats and developments in the Middle East.”

The talks also dwelt on "a variety of possible scenarios on both near and distant fronts, emphasizing the strengthening of operational cooperation and enhancing readiness for any scenario," it added.

According to the statement, Kurilla's visit affirms the strong strategic relations between the US and Israeli armies.

The US is Israel's main ally and weapons provider with Washington sending hundreds of ammunition and military hardware shipments that allowed the Israeli army to continue its genocidal war on Gaza amid unprecedented destruction in the enclave.

His visit to Israel as reports suggested that Palestinians and Israelis are nearing a cease-fire and prisoner swap deal to end Israel's ongoing genocidal war on Gaza, where more than 46,700 people have been killed, mostly women and children, since Oct. 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

Before his arrival in Israel, the top US general visited Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon to discuss regional developments and security, according to separate statements by CENTCOM.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar