US War Secretary Pete Hegseth made an undisclosed visit to the occupied Palestinian territories on Monday and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ovda Air Base in the south of occupied Palestine, Axios reported.
According to Axios, the secret visit came eight days before the Israeli elections and amid US-Israeli discussions over the possibility of resuming large-scale military operations against Iran.
Israeli Channel 13 reported that Hegseth met Netanyahu for two hours during his visit, with other officials also attending the meeting.
US President Donald Trump had previously said he would not resume US strikes on Iran before the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3, according to the Associated Press.
Axios, citing two informed sources, reported that the meeting was held at Ovda Air Base, where US aerial refueling aircraft and fighter jets are stationed. The Pentagon and the Israeli Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment, while it remained unclear whether the two sides discussed details of any potential military action against Iran.
Hegseth Meets Netanyahu Amid Iran Tensions
The reported visit came one day after Trump announced his support for Netanyahu in the upcoming Knesset elections.
Trump linked his support for Netanyahu to “cooperation in confronting Iran,” arguing that “his defeat could leave Washington responsible for continuing the confrontation with Tehran alone.”
Israeli newspaper Maariv quoted political sources as saying that detailed opinion polls provided to Trump had influenced the timing of his announcement.
Following Trump’s message of support for Netanyahu, sources in the Likud party said the announcement had been “expected” and that they had no doubt Trump would stand by Netanyahu ahead of the elections.
Emirati Officials Attended the Hegseth-Netanyahu Meeting
While Yedioth Ahronoth noted that the visit took place without prior official notification from the Pentagon and that the meeting was attended by unidentified foreign officials, with no details disclosed regarding the content of the discussions or the agenda Israel’s Channel 13 revealed that the meeting between Hegseth and Netanyahu was attended by senior officials and figures from the United Arab Emirates.
The channel cited a source familiar with the talks as saying that “a number of issues were discussed, including Iran.”
Following the visit, Netanyahu stated that he had spoken with the commander of the base, expressing his admiration for the level of readiness, determination, and capability to strike enemies when necessary. He issued a warning to Israel’s adversaries, stating: “Do not test us; you will receive blows far more severe than those you have received thus far.” According to the channel, he also praised the performance of the pilots, air squadrons, ground crews, the military, and the Israeli government.
Hegseth’s visit comes one day after US President Donald Trump expressed his support for Netanyahu ahead of the Knesset elections scheduled for next week. Opinion polls suggest that the religious-nationalist coalition led by Netanyahu may lose its governing majority, while the opposition could also face difficulties in forming a government.
Earlier yesterday, US Vice President-elect JD Vance declined to endorse Netanyahu, stating that he does not intervene in Israeli elections. In an interview with the digital platform “Two Way,” he added: “I am supporting American candidates that is my focus: the midterm elections.” He continued: “I am not against endorsing him, but I am not for it either… I will not interfere in the Israeli elections.”
Military Alert on the Eve of Elections
Yesterday, Eyal Zamir, Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli occupation army, announced a ban on soldiers leaving their units effective from Thursday through Tuesday as part of preparations for the elections.
Source: Axios (edited by Al-Manar)