US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Makes Unannounced Visit to Israel, Meets Netanyahu Amidst Election Buzz

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a discreet visit to Israel, according to reports from Axios. The encounter between the prominent ally of US President Donald Trump and the long-serving Israeli premier, who is facing a closely contested election, took place on Monday. Axios cited two sources familiar with the situation for their report. Reuters has not yet been able to independently verify the visit. Neither the Pentagon nor Israel’s embassy in Washington has provided immediate comment, and details regarding the discussions held remain undisclosed.

Earlier on Sunday, President Trump used his social media platform, Truth Social, to publicly endorse Netanyahu for the upcoming parliamentary election. This election is the first since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Trump lauded Netanyahu as a key ally of the United States in its stance against Iran, declaring he had his “Complete and Total Endorsement.” Trump further wrote, “BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

Current projections suggest that Netanyahu’s coalition of religious and nationalist parties may lose its parliamentary majority. However, opinion polls also indicate that the opposition might face challenges in forming a government. In contrast, US Vice President JD Vance, in a separate interview on Monday, declined to endorse Netanyahu, stating his focus was on American elections, specifically the midterms. Vance, who had previously endorsed Viktor Orban in Hungary’s elections, clarified his position on Israeli elections by saying, “I’m not anti-endorsing him, but I’m not pro-endorsing him; I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections.”