Hegseth Meets Netanyahu at Israeli Air Base Before Election

At Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit. The base hosts US refuelling aircraft and fighter jets. Hegseth also met American troops there, Axios reported, citing two people familiar with the meeting. The visit took place eight days before Israelis vote for parliament on October 27. ¹

That meeting came as Washington and Tel Aviv discussed the possibility of restarting large-scale fighting against Iran, Axios reported. Hegseth later said on social media that he had visited US troops in the Central Command region, which covers the Middle East, northeast Africa and parts of Asia. The Pentagon and Israel’s embassy declined to comment, and Netanyahu’s office had not replied to a request for comment. Reuters said it could not immediately confirm the meeting. ^1,2

The Iran talks give the visit weight beyond its timing. Israel and Iran fought a 12-day war in 2025, with the United States involved, before another conflict in 2026. The wider rivalry has repeatedly spread across the region. Now, US President Donald Trump has publicly backed Netanyahu’s re-election, praising his work with Washington against Iran. He warned the United States might have to bear the burden if Israeli voters choose another leader. But Netanyahu’s coalition is expected to lose its majority, while Vice President JD Vance said he would not endorse either side. ^1,2

That election is scheduled for October 27, the country’s first since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. Polls suggest neither Netanyahu’s coalition nor the opposition may find it easy to form a government. The immediate next test is the vote itself. Meanwhile, the Pentagon and Netanyahu’s office have yet to publicly explain the meeting or its purpose. ²