News world Pete Hegseth Meets Netanyahu In Surprise Visit To Middle East, Says US Troops On ‘Historic Mission’
Last Updated:October 20, 2026, 07:30 IST
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth praised US troops on X during an unannounced Middle East visit, as reports pointed towards him meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel.
Hegseth Visits US Troops In Middle East (Photo: X/@SecWar)
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, in an unannounced visit to the Middle East, said he had met American troops serving under the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on what he described as a “historic mission”. His announcement came hours after Axios reported that Hegseth was in Israel and had met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a post on X, Hegseth praised US military personnel but did not disclose his precise location or provide details of the mission.
The reported meeting with Netanyahu also came ahead of Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election, following US President Donald Trump’s public endorsement of the Israeli Prime Minister.
“As always, it was an honor to visit our warfighters in CENTCOM today. The best of our country, on a historic mission. Godspeed,” Hegseth wrote on X.
As always, it was an honor to visit our warfighters in @CENTCOM today. The best of our country, on a historic mission. Godspeed. https://t.co/UO094Mvw1e— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 20, 2026
Axios reported the meeting, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
There was no immediate official information about the purpose of Hegseth’s reported meeting with Netanyahu or the details of the discussions.
At A Glance
1.
Hegseth said he visited US troops serving under CENTCOM on what he called a “historic mission”.
2.
Axios reported that Hegseth met Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel.
3.
The reported visit came ahead of Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election.
HEGSETH’S VISIT COMES AHEAD OF ISRAEL ELECTION
The reported visit comes as Netanyahu prepares for Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election, the first national vote since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza and wider regional conflict.
Trump endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday, describing him as a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and a partner in confronting Iran.
The endorsement came after months in which Trump had withheld public support amid differences between the two leaders over their approaches to the Middle East, the Associated Press reported.
Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist coalition is projected in opinion polls to lose its governing majority, although opposition parties could also struggle to form a government, Reuters reported.
The election takes place against the backdrop of Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon and the conflict involving Iran, which have contributed to wider instability in the region.
US Vice President JD Vance, meanwhile, declined to endorse Netanyahu in an interview with digital media outlet 2WAY on Monday.
“I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on the midterms,” Vance said, according to Reuters.
Vance, who travelled to Budapest earlier this year and endorsed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hungary’s election, said he was not getting involved in Israel’s electoral contest.
“I’m not anti-endorsing him, but I’m not pro-endorsing him, I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections,” Vance said.
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Ask News18What did US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth say during his unannounced Middle East visit?
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated during an unannounced visit to the Middle East that he had met American troops serving under CENTCOM on a “historic mission” and praised their service in a post on X.
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Israel’s parliamentary election is scheduled for October 27, marking the country’s first national vote since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that triggered the ongoing regional conflict.
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US Vice President JD Vance declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that he focuses on American candidates for the midterms and does not get involved in Israeli elections.
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Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
First Published:
October 20, 2026, 07:29 IST
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