Pete Hegseth, the head of the Pentagon, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday during an unannounced visit to Israel, according to reports citing two informed sources.
This visit by the U.S. “Secretary of War” occurred just eight days before Israel’s elections, amid ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Israel regarding a potential resumption of significant military operations against Iran.
The meeting with Netanyahu took place at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, where U.S. refueling and fighter aircraft are stationed, sources revealed.
Reuters has yet to confirm this meeting, but Hegseth stated in a post on X that he visited American troops in the area of responsibility of Central Command, which covers the Middle East, Northeast Africa, and parts of Asia.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the matter, and the Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
Netanyahu Faces Tough Political Climate
The information regarding Hegseth’s trip comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his support for Netanyahu in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Israel.
This will be the first election in the country since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which has shaken the nation and plunged the Middle East into chaos as Israel has entered into conflict with Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Polls indicate that Netanyahu’s current national-religious coalition is expected to lose its governing majority, though the opposition may face challenges in forming a government.
Former chief of the Israeli army, Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s main political rival, has pledged to defeat the Palestinian movement Hamas in Gaza within 18 months if he becomes prime minister following the parliamentary elections on October 27.
JD Vance Remains Neutral on Israeli Elections
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, however, refrained from endorsing Netanyahu in a morning interview, stating he does not involve himself in Israel’s elections.
“I support American candidates, and my focus is on the midterm elections,” said Vance, who was in Budapest earlier this year supporting Viktor Orban in Hungary’s elections.
“I’m not against supporting him, but I’m not in favor of supporting him either; I do not involve myself in the elections in Israel,” Vance added.
