Hegseth’s unannounced visit ahead of Israel’s election
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Israel on Monday, eight days before Israel’s election, amid discussions about potentially resuming major military operations against Iran, Axios reported. Two sources familiar with the visit said he met Monday evening with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
An Israeli source said UAE representatives attended one of the meetings. Walla also reported Emirati participation.
According to the reporting, Netanyahu skipped Beitar Jerusalem’s match at Teddy Stadium, where a crowd of 30,000 was expected, and instead flew from Ben Gurion Airport to Nevatim Air Base in the Negev for the meeting.
The Pentagon declined to comment when asked about Hegseth’s travel. The visit followed President Donald Trump’s recent social media endorsement of Netanyahu, whom he called a “Great Warrior Prime Minister”.
Reported Israeli air activity and Iranian patrols
Separate reports described heavy Israeli Air Force activity over Syria and Iraq overnight, reportedly prompting Iranian fighter jets to scramble and conduct patrols over western Iran and eastern Iraq.
IRGC warning on undersea internet cables
The IRGC said:
“7 main internet cables pass under the Strait of Hormuz, and the enemy should know that we have new targets”.
Zamir assesses Gaza Division readiness
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited a large-scale Gaza Division command exercise today alongside Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Itay Ofir, Gaza Division commander Brig. Gen. Liron Batito, Operations Directorate head Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram and other senior commanders, the IDF said.
Developed from the conclusions and lessons of October 7, the exercise simulated defensive and offensive scenarios aimed at defeating the enemy. Zamir assessed troops’ operational proficiency and readiness for emergency missions.
A focused assessment with brigade commanders examined the division’s readiness for war and its ability to implement operational plans across multiple scenarios.
Zamir said the lessons of October 7 require the IDF to ensure such a failure never happens again, remain aware of unidentified blind spots and prepare for every scenario.
“Our test lies in our readiness, operational proficiency, and operational tempo,” he said, stressing that orders must reach every military outpost and every troop in the field to prevent the enemy from achieving surprise.
He said the IDF continues to pursue terrorists and infiltrators who participated in the October 7 attack, praising Southern Command’s successful counterterrorism operations. “This is an operational and moral mission, and we will continue to act resolutely to complete it.”
Zamir said defenses had been strengthened and troops reinforced across all arenas over the past week, with alertness and readiness remaining high. Although Israel’s enemies have suffered very heavy blows, he said, they continue planning attacks.
He described the IDF’s approach across combat arenas as forward defense and counterterrorism: “We do not wait for threats to emerge; we act proactively to eliminate them.”
“Our goal is to enable democratic elections to take place without external interference,” Zamir said.
