Central command

By Tara Subramaniam, Adam Renton, Lauren Said-Moorhouse, Christian Edwards, Dakin Andone, Mike Hayes, Elise Hammond, Maureen Chowdhury, Zoe SoCNN's Oren Lieberman

The commander of U.S. Central Command arrived in Israel on Monday and met with the country's military chief of staff, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement. Gen. Michael "Eric" Kurilla's goal is to better understand Israel's defense needs and outline U.S. support during the conflict, the statement said.

U.S. Central Command has not said how long Kurilla will remain in Israel. His visit comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken conducts shuttle diplomacy in the region, including nearly eight hours of talks with Israel's War Cabinet. Diplomatic efforts to address the crisis have been stepped up, with US President Joe Biden also scheduled to visit Israel on Wednesday. 10:24 p.m. ET, October 16, 2023

House Foreign Affairs Committee drafting legislation authorizing military force if Israel-Hamas conflict expands

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul appears on CNN on Monday, October 16. CNN

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul told CNN Monday that his committee is drafting legislation “in the event it’s necessary” to authorize US military force if the current conflict between Israel and Hamas broadens into a wider proxy war with Iran.

"I hope I never have to mark this bill up. But we have a situation in the Middle East that’s growing day by day with intensity and if Hezbollah gets involved, Iran has already threatened if Gaza is, you know, if Israel goes, you know, if IDF (Israel Defense Forces) goes into Gaza that they're gonna come out,” he told CNN.

The revelation that his committee is crafting draft legislation — known as an Authorization of Use for Military Force — comes as President Joe Biden prepares to travel to the region later this week and is the latest indication that the US government is deeply concerned over how the current crisis could broaden in a way that might require a US military response.

The US military ordered a second carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean as well as Air Force fighter jets to the region as part of US efforts to deter Iran and its proxies from expanding the conflict.

McCaul was careful not to say whether the White House had specifically asked for such an authorization, telling reporters: "I don't want to confirm that. It's just that there is concern that — we, I'm currently, we're currently drafting one in the event it's necessary."

When asked by CNN what this potential authorization might entail, McCaul said: “I'd prefer not to put Iran as a nation state in there. It would be more Iran proxies, you know, like Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran-backed Shi’ia militias, but if Iran gets directly involved, then we would have to put them on the list."

In an interview later with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, McCaul said he would want any potential authorization to have the full support of the American people.

“I’m currently preparing a draft of that in the event it is called upon and is necessary, but most importantly is supported by the American people,” he said. October 16, 2023, 10:11 PM ET

"The pain is unimaginable," Rabbi says of mother and daughter taken hostage by Hamas in Chicago.

Judith Ty Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natali Raanan (Courtesy of Sarai Cohen)

A Chicago mother-daughter rabbi held hostage in Israel has been reassured that US President Joe Biden and the United States are supporting all their families.

Judith Tai Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natali Raanan traveled to Israel to celebrate Natali Raanan's grandmother's 85th birthday. Mother and daughter are currently being held hostage by Hamas.

Rabbi Mae Hecht told CNN's Caitlan Collins on Monday night that her family is completely devastated as they continue to wait for news.

"This is a travesty, a tragedy, and the pain is unimaginable," Hecht said.