Pete Hegseth reportedly met secretly with Benjamin Netanyahu before the elections in Israel

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth reportedly met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday during an unannounced visit to Israel, according to Axios, which cited two informed sources. The meeting reportedly took place eight days before Israel’s parliamentary elections and amid discussions between Washington and Jerusalem about a possible resumption of major military operations against Iran.

According to the cited sources, the meeting took place at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, where American refueling and fighter aircraft are stationed. Reuters could not independently confirm the information. Hegseth posted on X that he had visited American service members in the area of responsibility of Central Command, which includes the Middle East.

The Pentagon declined to comment, while the Israeli Embassy in Washington did not immediately provide a statement.

The visit comes after President Donald Trump declared his support for Netanyahu in next week’s election. Polls indicate that the current national-religious coalition could lose its majority, although the opposition might face difficulties forming a government. Vice President J.D. Vance, by contrast, avoided endorsing any Israeli candidate.