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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel on October 19, 2026, Axios reported citing two sources. Reuters could not immediately confirm the meeting, the Pentagon declined to comment, and Israel's embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment. Hegseth said in a social media post that he had visited US service members in the Central Command area of responsibility, which covers the Middle East. The visit comes amid heightened speculation about renewed military action against Iran following remarks from President Trump suggesting he and Netanyahu could again strike Iran together.