The trip by Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, is the latest by a senior U.S. official to Israel ahead of an expected ground assault by Israel's military in Gaza.
"I'm here to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict," Kurilla told Reuters, which is traveling with him, in brief remarks before landing.
A U.S. official told Reuters Kurilla was scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Israel's military leadership, ensuring a clear understanding of the close U.S. ally's defense requirements.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held hours of talks with Israel's war cabinet in Israel on Monday, and was once forced to shelter in a bunker for five minutes when air raid sirens went off.
Clashes this last week have been the deadliest in the Lebanon border area since a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Persons:
Phil Stewart TEL, Michael, Erik, Kurilla, Joe Biden, Reuters Kurilla, Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, Phil Stewart, Stephen Coates
Organizations:
Reuters, American, Palestinian, Hamas, Army, U.S . Central Command, U.S, Pentagon, United, Hezbollah
Locations:
Phil Stewart TEL AVIV, Israel, U.S, Gaza, Iran, Washington, United States, Lebanon, Lebanese