US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday, Axios reported, citing two sources with knowledge.

Axar.az reports that the meeting with Netanyahu took place at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, where U.S. refueling planes and fighter jets are deployed, two sources said.

The unannounced visit comes eight days before Israel's election and amid U.S.-Israeli discussions about potentially resuming major combat operations against Iran.

Hegseth also met with U.S. troops at the base, a source with knowledge told Axios.