US Central Command chief holds talks in Israel on Iran, Gaza

CENTCOM chief meets Israeli military leadership

US Central Command chief Gen. Brad Cooper visited Israel on Saturday for consultations with senior military officials regarding tensions with Iran and developments in the Gaza Strip, according to Israel's public broadcaster KAN. Cooper met with Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and other senior commanders during the brief stop in Tel Aviv, the broadcaster reported.

The visit came immediately after the general held a series of meetings in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran, KAN said.

US military posture amid regional tensions

The United States remains on heightened alert across the Middle East, maintaining dozens of aerial refueling aircraft, fighter jets and air defense systems alongside thousands of troops stationed in the region, according to the broadcaster. This force posture reflects ongoing military tensions between Washington and Tehran following recent confrontations that have raised concerns about broader regional escalation.

Gaza ceasefire phase two disputed

Cooper also discussed developments in Gaza and the implementation of President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan, according to KAN. The talks addressed understandings reached by the Peace Council regarding the disarmament of the enclave, though significant disagreements remain over the sequencing of the second phase of the agreement.

Israel's security Cabinet is expected to discuss the new ceasefire plan and its proposed timeline in the coming days, according to the broadcaster. The proposal includes provisions for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from parts of Gaza that would be conditional on Hamas' disarmament and the establishment of a Palestinian technocratic committee to administer the territory.

Hamas maintains that moving to the second phase requires Israel to first comply with the provisions of the first phase, including halting attacks, allowing humanitarian aid to enter and opening the crossings. The group has also linked discussions on its heavy weapons to a full Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and the implementation of other second-phase arrangements, including the deployment of the administrative committee, an international force and the start of reconstruction. A ceasefire has been in effect in Gaza since Oct. 10, 2025, though key elements including disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, transitional governance and reconstruction remain unresolved.