Axios reports an unannounced Israel visit by the United States Defence Secretary and a meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister

20 October 2026

Axios reported, citing two people with knowledge of the visit, that United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel.
Israel's Army Radio placed the meeting at an air force base in the country's southern desert.
Reuters said it could not immediately confirm the meeting, the Pentagon declined to comment, and Israel's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond.
In a social media post Hegseth said he had visited United States service members in the Central Command area, which covers West Asia, north-east Africa and parts of Asia, and the post did not mention Netanyahu.
A day earlier, President Donald Trump had endorsed Netanyahu in Israel's parliamentary election the following week.
It is the country's first vote since the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, after which Israel fought wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
United States Vice President JD Vance declined to endorse Netanyahu, saying he was not getting involved in Israeli elections and that he endorses American candidates.