Hegseth meets Netanyahu on unannounced Israel visit - Al Jazeera
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conducted an unannounced visit to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The meeting focused on regional security threats and the US-Israel strategic partnership ahead of Israel's upcoming election.
Why it matters
The visit underscores the Trump administration's active diplomatic support for Netanyahu's re-election campaign and highlights ongoing US involvement in Middle Eastern security dynamics.
Hegseth has travelled to Israel to meet Netanyahu before a closely contested election, Axios reported, citing sources.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington, DC [File: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters] By Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters Published On 20 Oct 2026 20 Oct 2026 | Updated: 20 Oct 2026 06:49 PM (GMT) Updated: 20 Oct 2026 06:49 PM (GMT) United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an undisclosed visit to Israel.
Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for the Israeli prime minister, confirmed to the Reuters news agency on Tuesday that Netanyahu had met Hegseth at the Uvda air force base in Israel’s southern Negev desert region the day before. The unannounced visit was first reported by Axios.
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