Unannounced visit to Israel by Pete Hegseth, the United States’ defense secretary, included a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, US media outlet Axios reported, citing two people with knowledge of the discussions. The report described the encounter as unpublicized, and offered limited detail on its duration or topics covered.
Pete Hegseth posted on social media that he had visited US service members assigned to the Central Command area of responsibility, which spans the Middle East, northeast Africa and parts of Asia. His statement did not mention a meeting with Israeli leaders; it instead focused on engagement with troops and local commanders in the region.
The Pentagon declined to provide comment when contacted about the trip, and Israel’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for information. Reuters did not independently confirm the reported meeting between the US defense secretary and Israel’s prime minister.
The account of a private encounter between a senior US defense official and the Israeli head of government comes amid a period of heightened attention to security matters across the region. While public details remain limited, the involvement of the US defense secretary underscores the level of engagement Washington maintains with partners inside the Central Command area. Official spokespeople from both capitals have not furnished additional verification or described any outcomes from the visit, leaving basic facts about timing and agenda unconfirmed.
