CENTCOM Commander Meets with Kochavi in Tel Aviv

A general view shows part of Tel Aviv, Israel June 12, 2022. REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg
A general view shows part of Tel Aviv, Israel June 12, 2022. REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg
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CENTCOM Commander Meets with Kochavi in Tel Aviv

A general view shows part of Tel Aviv, Israel June 12, 2022. REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg
A general view shows part of Tel Aviv, Israel June 12, 2022. REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg

CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla met on Sunday with Israeli army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi in Tel Aviv where the two sides mainly discussed Israel's aerial defense and joint operational threats and challenges.

An Israeli army spokesperson said this is Kurilla's second visit to Israel since taking up his position as CENTCOM commander two months ago.

“This visit is a complimentary meeting following the strategic-operational forum between the two nation's militaries last month and will focus on Israel's aerial defense array," the spokesperson said.

He added that the strategic-operational forum meeting had deeply tackled the joint security threats and challenges that face both armies in the Middle East and the possibility of a joint war.

The meeting also focused on joint action plans for a multi-front war and to expand military cooperation.

The spokesperson then linked Kurilla’s visit to Kochavi’s visit to Morocco on Monday, in the first trip by an Israeli military commander to the North African nation.

“This visit is in addition to recent meetings and cooperation between the two countries, as part of the advancement of military-security cooperation between the State of Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco,” the Israeli military said in a statement.

Kochavi is travelling with the military’s international cooperation commander, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, and the head of the Intelligence Research Division, Brig. Gen. Amit Saar.

He will meet with senior Moroccan military officials.



Germany’s Merz Announces Gaza Aid Airlift, Mulls Upping Ante on Israel

 28 July 2025, Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, after the Security Cabinet meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East. (dpa)
28 July 2025, Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, after the Security Cabinet meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East. (dpa)
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Germany’s Merz Announces Gaza Aid Airlift, Mulls Upping Ante on Israel

 28 July 2025, Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, after the Security Cabinet meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East. (dpa)
28 July 2025, Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, after the Security Cabinet meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East. (dpa)

Germany will immediately launch an airlift to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza as it considers stepping up pressure on Israel over the "catastrophic" situation in the enclave, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday.

As the death toll from almost two years of war in Gaza nears 60,000, a growing number of people are dying from starvation and malnutrition, Gaza health authorities say, with images of starving children shocking the world and fueling international criticism of Israel over sharply worsening conditions.

Germany, together with the United States, has long remained one of Israel's staunchest allies and largest arms suppliers.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday many people were starving in the enclave, contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who denied there was starvation there.

The German security cabinet convened for more than two hours on Monday to discuss the situation, Merz told a news conference in Berlin. While it welcomed Israel's announcement of a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza as an "important first step", it agreed more must follow.

Asked if the council discussed sanctions like suspending the EU pact governing relations with Israel, a move Germany has in the past rejected, Merz said the council had discussed what options were available.

"We are keeping such steps on the table," he said.

Before making any decisions, however, he would try to speak with Netanyahu later on Monday and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul would travel to the region on Thursday, possibly together with his British and French counterparts. The German government would then reassess the situation over the weekend.

In the meantime, Berlin would do what it could to help alleviate the humanitarian situation, launching an airlift in cooperation with Jordan to deliver aid into Gaza.

"Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will closely coordinate with France and the UK, who are also willing to provide such an airlift for food and medical supplies," he said.

"We know that this can only provide very limited help for the people in Gaza, but it is nonetheless a contribution we are eager to make."

Germany would also prepare for a Gaza reconstruction conference in coordination with regional partners, Britain and France, he said. "No further expulsions from the Gaza Strip must occur."

German officials say their approach to Israel is governed by a special responsibility, known as the Staatsraison, arising from the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust.

They have long believed they can achieve more through diplomatic back channels than public statements. But Merz has come under growing pressure in recent weeks, including from within his own coalition, to take a firmer stance on Israel, and faced broad criticism for failing to join a statement last week by dozens of Western nations condemning the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians.