US, Israeli military officials discuss Middle East

WASHINGTON

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander and Israeli chief of staff met Wednesday to discuss the Middle East, CENTCOM said Thursday.

Gen. Michael Kurilla hosted Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi at CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa, Florida, where they also exchanged views on Iran, the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Yemen's Houthi group.

"They also discussed the deep and enduring defense partnership between the two defense forces," CENTCOM said in a statement.

The visit came as a ceasefire agreement took effect in Gaza on Jan. 19, halting Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed more than 48,200 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.