US defense chief meets Netanyahu ahead of Israeli elections

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an undisclosed visit to Israel on Monday.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Israel on Monday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to sources cited by Axios and confirmed by a senior US military official to CBS News. The Pentagon and Israeli government did not immediately comment on the visit.

The meeting took place just over a week before Israeli parliamentary elections, the first vote since the October 7 attacks and subsequent conflict in Gaza. Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition is projected to lose its governing majority, though opposition parties may also struggle to form a government.

President Trump endorsed Netanyahu for re-election on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, praising him as an ally in the US war on Iran and declaring he had the president's 'Complete and Total Endorsement'. Vice President JD Vance, however, declined to endorse Netanyahu in an interview on Monday, saying he was not getting involved in Israeli elections.

Neither outlet reported what Hegseth and Netanyahu discussed during the meeting. CBS News noted the visit came as Trump has indicated he may pursue military operations against Iran after the US midterm elections, though neither outlet specified whether this featured in the talks.

How it is being reported

• Hegseth meets Netanyahu ahead of elections, possible Iran war restartDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel just over a week before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands for elections, and as President Trump floats restarting the Iran war.CBS News · 20 Oct, 05:50
• Hegseth meets Netanyahu in unannounced Israel visitHegseth has travelled to Israel to meet Netanyahu ahead of a closely contested election, Axios reported, citing sources.Al Jazeera · 20 Oct, 01:08

In this story: Pete Hegseth · Benjamin Netanyahu · Donald Trump · JD Vance · Israel · United States · Iran

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem