During an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Axios reported, ahead of the Oct. 27 election.
Axios cited two sources with knowledge of the meeting. When it filed its account, Reuters said it had not yet been able to verify the meeting. Reuters also reported that the Pentagon declined to comment and that Israel’s embassy in Washington had not yet answered its inquiry.
In a social media post, Hegseth said he had visited U.S. service members in the region covered by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM’s area of responsibility extends from the Middle East into northeast Africa and parts of Asia.
U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu ahead of the vote on Sunday. In an interview Monday, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said he would stay out of Israel’s election and focus on U.S. midterm races.
Israel’s Central Elections Committee has scheduled the Knesset election for Oct. 27. It will be the country’s first national vote since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
