Scoop: Pete Hegseth meets with Netanyahu in Israel ahead of elections

Pete Hegseth meets with Netanyahu in Israel ahead of elections

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Updated 21 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Hegseth meets Netanyahu on unannounced Israel visit

* Barak Ravid

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!Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a bright blue suit with a striped tie sits on stage, pointing with his left hand. He has silver hair and a US-flag pocket square against a dark background.

*Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Washington, D.C., last week. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images*

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Monday, two sources with knowledge told Axios.

**Why it matters:** The unannounced visit comes eight days before Israel's election and amid U.S.-Israeli discussions about potentially resuming major combat operations against Iran.

**Driving the news:** The meeting with Netanyahu took place at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, where U.S. refueling planes and fighter jets are deployed, two sources said.

* Hegseth also met with U.S. troops at the base, a source with knowledge told Axios.
* The Pentagon and the Israeli Embassy declined to comment. The Israeli Prime Minister's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

*Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.*

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