US defense chief makes unannounced visit to Israel, meets Netanyahu

JERUSALEM, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Channel 12 News reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 6, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

The meeting took place at a military base in southern Israel, according to the Israeli Army Radio.

Netanyahu's office did not immediately comment on the report.

The Pentagon did not announce the visit, and Hegseth's office initially declined to comment.

Following the reports, Hegseth posted on X that he had visited U.S. troops under the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), sharing photographs from the visit. "As always, it was an honor to visit our warfighters in @CENTCOM today. The best of our country, on a historic mission. Godspeed," he wrote.

The visit came eight days ahead of Israel's national elections, in which Netanyahu runs for another term.

The visit also came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, and discussions between the United States and Israel on the possibility of resuming military operations against Iran.