Hegseth reportedly meets Netanyahu during unannounced visit to Israel

WASHINGTON: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday, according to a report by Axios citing two sources familiar with the matter.

Reuters said it could not independently verify the reported meeting. Hegseth confirmed in a social media post that he had visited US military personnel within the area of responsibility of US Central Command, which encompasses the Middle East, northeast Africa and parts of Asia.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the reported visit, while Israel’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The visit comes amid heightened political attention ahead of Israel’s parliamentary election next week. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu, whose religious-nationalist governing coalition is facing the prospect of losing its parliamentary majority, according to opinion polls.

The election will be Israel’s first since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered a major regional crisis. Israel subsequently fought wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, reshaping the region’s security landscape.

Polls suggest Netanyahu’s coalition could fall short of retaining its governing majority. However, opposition parties may also face difficulties assembling a coalition capable of forming a government, leaving the outcome uncertain.

US Vice President JD Vance, however, declined to endorse Netanyahu in an interview earlier on Monday, saying he was not getting involved in Israeli elections.

“I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on is the midterms,” Vance, who traveled to Budapest and endorsed Viktor Orban in Hungarian election earlier this year, said in an interview with digital media outlet 2WAY.

“I’m not anti-endorsing him, but I’m not pro-endorsing him, I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections.” Vance said.