Top US general monitoring Israel-Hamas conflict in case it spreads to Lebanon

Gen. Frank McKenzie said he is monitoring the conflict between Israel and Hamas in case it widens into Lebanon. He also offered updates on the Afghanistan withdrawal.

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT -- Gen. Frank McKenzie, the top U.S. general in the Middle East, said he is closely monitoring the conflict between Israel and Hamas in case it widens into Lebanon. McKenzie, who is overseeing the withdrawal of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, also said that he would present a plan in early June to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for how the U.S. would carry out its "over-the-horizon" operations after all 2,500 American troops have left. The U.S. Central Command commander talked with a small group of reporters traveling with him to the Middle East Wednesday about how CENTCOM will soon incorporate Israel into its area of responsibility, assuming the primary U.S. military relationship that for decades has been undertaken by U.S. European Command. McKenzie said the current conflict between Israel and Hamas has not affected the planned transition in any way, but he said CENTCOM is "closely monitoring" the conflict in case it should widen further.