US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Reportedly Met Netanyahu in Israel

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday during a previously undisclosed visit to Israel, Axios reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter. Reuters could not immediately confirm the meeting. Hegseth stated on social media that he visited U.S. military personnel in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility, which encompasses the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia. The Pentagon declined to comment, and the Israeli Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The news of Hegseth's trip follows U.S. President Donald Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu for the upcoming Knesset elections next week. These elections are the first in Israel since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, which triggered wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, destabilizing the Middle East. Current polls suggest Netanyahu's national-religious coalition may lose its majority, though the opposition might also struggle to form a government.

Earlier on Monday, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance refrained from endorsing Netanyahu in an interview, stating he does not interfere in Israeli elections. Vance, who had previously endorsed Viktor Orbán in Hungary's elections, told the UnWired platform, "I support American candidates, and that's what I'm focused on, the midterm elections." He added, "I'm not against endorsing him, but I'm not for endorsing him either. I will not interfere in the Israeli elections."