US Army General Michael Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, visited Israel to discuss regional security issues, including the situation in Syria. The Israeli military has conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria, destroying strategic weapons stockpiles. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered troops to prepare for a prolonged military presence in Syria. Kurilla also visited Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon in recent days. Israel is suspicious of the rebel groups that toppled Assad in Syria, many of which have origins linked to Islamist groups. In Lebanon, Kurilla monitored the withdrawal of Israeli troops under a ceasefire agreement.