Exclusive-Senior US general flies into Israel as its war with Hamas deepens

By Phil Stewart

Top U.S. General Visits Israel Amid Deepening Conflict with Hamas

TEL AVIV (Reuters) – In a surprise visit, Army General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, who oversees American forces in the Middle East, arrived in Israel on Tuesday. The purpose of the visit is to ensure that the Israeli military is equipped with the necessary resources to combat the Palestinian militant group, Hamas.

This visit by General Kurilla comes just ahead of an anticipated ground assault by the Israeli armed forces in Gaza. It also coincides with U.S. President Joe Biden’s scheduled visit to the country tomorrow.

In light of growing international concerns about a wider regional war, the U.S. military is bolstering its presence in the region to prevent Iran and other Iran-backed groups from becoming involved in the conflict.

The Pentagon is expediting the delivery of air defenses and munitions to Israel to enhance its defensive capabilities. General Kurilla stated, “I’m here to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict.” Reuters is accompanying General Kurilla on this trip.

According to a U.S. official, General Kurilla is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Israeli military leadership to ensure a clear understanding of their defense requirements. He will also outline U.S. military support intended to prevent an escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Biden administration has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean and plans to send another carrier to the region in the coming days. These actions are aimed at serving as a deterrent against aggression, not provocations.

The United States already maintains a network of bases in the Middle East, housing troops, fighter aircraft, and warships.

The U.S. official said that the United States has informed some troops, potentially 2,000, to be prepared for deployment within 24 hours, rather than the usual 96 hours. These forces could include units providing assistance such as medical aid if necessary.

In response to the recent attack by Islamist fighters from Iran-backed Hamas, Israel has vowed to eliminate the group, which controls the Gaza Strip. The attack, which took place eight days ago, resulted in the death of 1,300 people and the capture of hostages, marking the worst assault on civilians in Israeli history.

Israel has imposed a total blockade on Gaza, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, and has carried out unprecedented airstrikes. A ground assault by Israeli forces is widely anticipated. Gaza authorities report that at least 2,800 people, including a quarter of them children, have been killed.

Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held extensive discussions with Israel’s war cabinet and even sought shelter in a bunker for five minutes during air raid sirens.

The international community is focusing on the humanitarian impact of the conflict and attempting to prevent its spillover, particularly into Lebanon. In recent days, Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon have been engaging in cross-border fire with Israel.

In a concerning development, Israel has ordered the evacuation of 28 villages along a 2 km-deep zone near the Lebanese border. Hezbollah claims to have targeted five Israeli positions.

The clashes in the border area between Israel and Lebanon over the past week have been the deadliest since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Stephen Coates)