According to Israeli media reports, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to arrive in Israel today for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. The visit follows earlier reports that Hegseth was en route to Israel.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Israel this morning, Wednesday, July 8, for high-level security talks. Reports earlier confirmed he was en route (The Zioneer, 02:20 Jerusalem), and his arrival was subsequently confirmed by multiple Israeli media outlets.
The visit has undergone several schedule changes since first reported. CNN initially reported Wednesday (The Zioneer, version 1, 02:20 Jerusalem). A US official then told Barak Ravid the visit would be Thursday (version 2, same time). A senior American official confirmed Thursday (version 3). Later, reports moved the visit back to Wednesday (version 4), and Channel 14's Noam Amir confirmed Hegseth was en route (version 5, 02:20 Jerusalem). The Zioneer's same-thread coverage at 06:19 Jerusalem reiterated that he was en route.
The visit comes amid ongoing US military operations against Iran. The Zioneer reported on Jun 10, 23:48 Jerusalem that Hegseth vowed "powerful and clear" strikes on Iran. Defense Minister Katz spoke with Hegseth on Jun 15, 00:07 Jerusalem, according to i24NEWS. Hegseth also toured Guantanamo Bay naval base on Jun 10, 15:10 Jerusalem.
The exact agenda for the meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz remains unclear, as does the duration of the visit.
6 developments
- StrongDefense Minister Katz speaks with US counterpart Hegseth
- StrongUS Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tours naval base at Guantanamo Bay
- DevelopingIsraeli officials to visit Washington amid difficulties in Iran talks — i24
- StrongUS Defense Secretary Hegseth meets CENTCOM commander at Florida headquarters
Source and signal
- Internal intake