U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held an unannounced meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Monday, Axios reported, citing two individuals familiar with the matter.
Reuters was unable to independently verify the meeting. However, Hegseth stated on social media that he had visited U.S. service members within the Central Command's area of responsibility, which encompasses the Middle East, northeastern Africa, and parts of Asia.
The Pentagon has declined to comment on the reports, and the Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The visit occurs shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu ahead of Israel's upcoming parliamentary election.
This election is the first since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which significantly impacted Israel and escalated regional tensions, leading to military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Despite the endorsement, opinion polls suggest that Netanyahu's current coalition government may lose its majority, though opposition parties might also face challenges in forming a government. In contrast, U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated earlier on Monday that he would not endorse Netanyahu, emphasizing his focus on American elections.
