Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with his Israeli counterpart, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi, at the Pentagon to discuss the state of the relationship between the U.S. and Israel and to also discuss Middle Eastern issues.
This is the first time Kohavi met Milley in person, although the two men have spoken often since the Israeli general took office in January 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented an earlier in-person meeting. Kohavi was due to visit the Pentagon in April, but tensions over rocket attacks into Israel launched by Gaza-based Hamas precluded the visit.
The two chiefs of defense will also discuss the regional situation and other items of mutual concern.
After his meetings in Washington, Kohavi will visit other U.S. installations before returning to Israel.
The United States has a strong relationship with Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III earlier this month and Austin made Israel one of the first nations he visited upon becoming the defense secretary.