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Statement

Statement | Feb. 20, 2025

USCENTCOM Commander Hosts Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces

USCENTCOM

On 19 February, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of U.S Central Command (CENTCOM), hosted Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi at CENTCOM Headquarters in Tampa, Fla.

During the visit, Gen. Kurilla and Lt. Gen. Halevi discussed the current situation in the Middle East, including Iran's malign influence, the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, the ceasefire in Gaza, and Yemen's Iran backed Ansar Allah (Houthis). They also discussed the deep and enduring defense partnership between the two defense forces.

Gen. Kurilla thanked Lt. Gen. Halevi for his tremendous leadership of the IDF, his deep and unwavering partnership during his tenure, and his continued efforts to strengthen the ironclad military-to-military relationship between the U.S. and Israel.