U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper visited Israel on Saturday, meeting with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and other senior Israeli military officials before departing for the United States, Kan News reported.

Cooper arrived in Israel following a series of meetings in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, as optimistic statements were heard from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and U.S. Vice President JD Vance regarding the possibility of moving closer to a new ceasefire agreement.

The United States continues to maintain a high level of military readiness across the Middle East, including in Israel. U.S. air defense systems remain deployed in the country, alongside dozens of refueling and fighter aircraft and thousands of American troops.

Cooper also held discussions on Gaza. Washington has been pressing Israel in recent weeks to move to the next phase in the Strip following the Board of Peace’s announcement of a plan for Hamas to disarm. Israel’s cabinet will be required to approve the new framework and timetable, which include a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza contingent on Hamas disarming and the technocratic government assuming its role.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)