Impossible to lead the army and fly abroad at the same time: IDF Chief of General Staff cancels US visit

Eyal Zamir, the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), has canceled his scheduled visit to the United States amid the heightened combat readiness of the Israeli military.

Zamir was slated to meet with the commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The parties planned to discuss military cooperation, the situation surrounding Iran, and other security threats.

However, Zamir informed his American counterparts that, given the current situation and heightened combat readiness across all sectors, he considers it inadvisable to leave Israel and manage operations remotely.

“It is impossible to lead the army and fly abroad at the same time,” a high-ranking IDF official stated.

Earlier, Zamir raised the combat readiness level and ordered commanders to remain at their posts ahead of the Tishrei holidays, which are considered a sensitive period from a security perspective.