Scoop: Hegseth plans Israel visit ahead of Trump's Middle East trip

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is planning to travel to Israel ahead of President Trump's trip to the Middle East, two Israeli officials tell Axios. Why it matters: This would be Hegseth's first trip to Israel since taking his role. It comes at a time when the U.S. and Israeli governments are divided over the possibility of military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, and with the war in Gaza and the U.S. military campaign in Yemen ongoing.Driving the news: Hegseth will arrive in Israel on May 12 and meet with his counterpart Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Hegseth will then travel to Saudi Arabia to join Trump's trip to the Gulf.Trump will also visit Qatar and the UAE but is not currently expected to visit Israel.A Pentagon official declined to comment on Hegseth's travel plans. Between the lines: Israeli defense officials and pro-Israel organizations in Washington have been concerned that many of Trump's picks for national security roles appear skeptical of U.S. military involvement in the Middle East, particularly when it comes to Iran.Netanyahu and his advisers have been making the case to U.S. counterparts for a military option on Iran.Go deeper:Scoop: Trump to hold summit with Gulf leaders during Saudi Arabia tripWhy Trump's White House turned on Mike WaltzTrump wants Iran deal but will be "leading the pack" for war without one

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