By Oxford Reporters
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel, days before the country’s parliamentary election and amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
The meeting took place on Monday, October 19, according to a report by Axios, which cited two sources familiar with the visit. The report said the meeting was held at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, where US refuelling aircraft and fighter jets are deployed.
The visit comes at a politically sensitive time for Netanyahu, whose religious-nationalist governing coalition is facing a challenging election expected to determine the country’s political direction.
Israel is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on October 27, the first since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered a major conflict and plunged the Middle East into prolonged instability.
The election is widely viewed as a test of Netanyahu’s leadership and his government’s handling of the security crisis that followed the 2023 attack, as well as the subsequent military campaigns and their political, economic and humanitarian consequences.
The unannounced meeting also comes a day after US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu ahead of the election.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, described Netanyahu as a strong ally and praised his cooperation with Washington, particularly in confronting Iran.
The US president declared his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of the Israeli prime minister, adding that he believed Netanyahu would continue to work effectively with the United States if re-elected.
Trump’s intervention has attracted attention because of its timing, with opinion polls suggesting that Netanyahu’s coalition could struggle to secure the parliamentary majority required to form the next government. However, opposition parties may also face difficulties assembling a stable governing coalition.
Hegseth’s visit has also drawn attention amid reports of discussions between Washington and Tel Aviv over the possibility of resuming major military operations against Iran.
Although the precise agenda of the meeting with Netanyahu has not been officially disclosed, the timing has raised questions about regional security cooperation and the future direction of US-Israeli military relations.
Hegseth indicated on social media that he had visited American service members operating within the US Central Command’s area of responsibility, which covers the Middle East and other regions. However, he did not publicly identify Israel as his destination in the post.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the reported meeting, while the Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reuters also reported that it could not independently confirm the visit when the initial reports emerged.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance declined to endorse Netanyahu when asked about the Israeli election during an interview on Monday, saying his political endorsements were focused on American candidates and the forthcoming US midterm elections.
The difference in approach between Trump and Vance has added another dimension to the debate over Washington’s involvement in Israel’s domestic political contest.
As Israel prepares for the October 27 vote, the outcome is expected to have significant implications for the country’s domestic politics, its relations with the United States and the wider Middle East.
Netanyahu’s ability to retain power will depend on the electoral performance of his Likud party and its allies, as well as their capacity to secure the support needed to form a governing coalition.
The reported meeting between Hegseth and Netanyahu therefore comes at a critical moment, with political calculations in Israel unfolding alongside continuing regional security concerns and uncertainty over the next phase of the conflict involving Iran.
