“These things are planned over a long time and changes are not uncommon,” the official said.

Miller said the exercise initially was planned for May but earlier this year Israeli defense officials approached the United States about shifting the date until the late autumn.

“When the exercise was moved, the United States notified Israel that due to concurrent operations, the United States would provide a smaller number of personnel and equipment than originally planned. Israel reiterated to postpone until late fall,” Miller said.

(Reporting By David Alexander and Dan Williams in Jerusalem; editing by Mohammad Zargham)