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Statement

Statement | Feb. 7, 2025

USCENTCOM Commander Visits Israel

USCENTCOM

From 05-07 February, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of U.S Central Command (CENTCOM), traveled to Israel and met with Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), LTG Herzi Halevi, Commander of the Israeli Air Force, MG Tomar Bar, other key IDF staff, the Director of the Israel Security Agency (ISA), Ronan Bar, and the Director of the Mossad - The Israeli Secret intelligence Service, David Barnea.

Gen. Kurilla, Lt. Gen. Halevi and the other leaders discussed the current situations in Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen’s Ansar Allah (Houthis), Syria, Iranian Aligned Militia Groups (IAMGs) in Iraq, and Iran. Gen. Kurilla and Lt. Gen Halevi discussed deepening the enduring military partnership between the United States and Israel and increasing interoperability and capabilities between our forces.

Gen. Kurilla also met with and received updates from U.S. servicemembers and IDF partners at the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, which is integrated into the regional air defense architecture.

Gen. Kurilla reiterated the ironclad military-to-military relationship between the U.S. and Israel.