US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday during an unannounced visit to Israel.

They met at Ovda Airbase in southern Israel, eight days before the country’s parliamentary election. Defense Minister Israel Katz also attended.

Axios first reported the visit. The Pentagon declined to comment, and Israel’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond.

Hegseth also met American troops at the base, where the US deploys refueling planes and fighter jets.

The visit came a day after President Trump gave Netanyahu his “complete and total endorsement” ahead of the October 27 vote.

Polls project Netanyahu’s coalition will lose its majority, though the opposition may also struggle to form a government.

Vice President JD Vance declined to follow Trump, saying he was not getting involved in Israeli elections.

Reports say the visit came amid talks on possibly resuming major combat operations against Iran.

Read the full article for more details on the Hegseth-Netanyahu meeting.