Syria at the heart of US-Israeli discussions in Tel Aviv

U.S. Army General Michael Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), recently concluded a three-day visit to Israel, where he met with several officials from Israel's defense establishment to discuss the situation in Syria and other regional issues, CENTCOM stated in a press release.

During his visit, Kurilla, who chairs the Lebanon ceasefire monitoring committee, met with Israeli Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, according to the statement.

Washington urged Israel to maintain close consultations with the U.S. regarding developments in Syria. Just days ago, Syrian rebels led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani ended over 50 years of Assad family rule, prompting the ousted president Bashar al-Assad to flee the country.

The world is watching closely to see if Syria’s new leadership can stabilize the nation after more than a decade of civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and triggered a refugee crisis.

Control of Mount Hermon

Following the collapse of the Assad regime, the Israeli military launched a widespread bombing campaign targeting hundreds of sites in Syria, destroying much of the regular Syrian army’s strategic weapon stockpiles.

Additionally, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has ordered Israeli troops to prepare to remain stationed on Mount Hermon throughout the winter. This strategic location overlooks Damascus, suggesting Israel anticipates a prolonged military presence in Syria.

"The leaders discussed a range of regional security issues, including the ongoing situation in Syria and preparedness for other strategic and regional threats," CENTCOM said in its statement. The statement added that Kurilla had also recently visited Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

While Israel welcomed the removal of Assad, an ally of its longstanding rival Iran, it remains cautious about the rebel groups that overthrew him, many of which have Islamist roots.

In Lebanon, Kurilla visited Beirut to oversee the withdrawal of the first Israeli troops under a ceasefire agreement reached last month after a conflict that killed thousands and displaced more than a million people.

Meanwhile, Israel continues its military campaign in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza. Over the past 14 months, this offensive has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, drawing accusations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel denies.