Exclusive: Senior US general flies into Israel as its war with Hamas deepens.

The senior American general in charge of American forces in the Middle East visited Israel on Tuesday without prior notice. He said he wanted to ensure the country’s military had what it needed as it waged a ferocious conflict with the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas.

Army General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, chief of U.S. Central Command, is making his most recent trip to Israel in preparation for what is anticipated to be an Israeli ground operation in Gaza. It occurs the day before U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit the nation.

As world concerns about a larger regional war rise, the U.S. military is stepping up its firepower to dissuade Iran and other Iran-backed forces from joining the battle.

Israel is also receiving weapons from the Pentagon, including air defenses and ammunition.

Before landing, Kurilla gave Reuters, who is flying with him, a brief statement saying, “I’m here to make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict.”

According to a U.S. official, Kurilla was planning to meet at a high level with Israel’s military leadership to ensure a thorough knowledge of the defense needs of the close partner of the United States.

Kurilla was also anticipated to discuss the military assistance provided by the United States to stop the Israel-Hamas war from escalating.

The Biden administration claims that Washington’s deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean and its impending deployment of a second carrier are deterrent-focused rather than provocative actions.

The U.S. already has a network of bases with soldiers, fighter jets, and warships across the Middle East.

In addition, according to a U.S. official on Monday, the United States has instructed certain troops—possibly 2,000—to be prepared to deploy in 24 hours rather than the customary 96 hours. These troops may include units that provide support, like medical treatment, if necessary.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, which receives support from Iran and rules the Gaza Strip, ever since its Islamist forces attacked Israeli communities eight days ago, killing 1,300 people and capturing prisoners in the bloodiest attack on civilians in the country’s history.

With 2.3 million Palestinians living there, Gaza has been completely blockaded, subjected to unprecedented airstrikes, and poised to face a ground invasion. According to Gazan authorities, at least 2,800 people have died there, with around a fifth being minors.

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israel’s military cabinet for hours when they were in Israel. Blinken once had to take cover in a bunker for five minutes when air raid sirens sounded.

The humanitarian cost of the fight and its potential spillover into Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists have been exchanging fire with Israeli soldiers across the border for days, have been the focus of international diplomacy.

Israel ordered the evacuation of 28 communities in a two-kilometer-deep (1.2 miles) zone near the Lebanese border on Monday, the strongest indication that the battle may extend to a new front. According to Hezbollah, five Israeli positions had been hit.

The border region between Lebanon and Israel has seen the worst week of fighting since Israel and Hezbollah’s conflict in 2006.