Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara left Hungary on Sunday for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump plans to meet Netanyahu on Monday in what would be their second White House sit-down since Trump’s return to office.
The visit comes as Israel deploys troops in a new security corridor across Gaza to pressure the Hamas militant group. Netanyahu’s defense minister has said Israel will seize large areas of the territory and add them to its so-called security zones.
Last month, Israel shattered the ceasefire with a surprise bombardment in Gaza after trying to pressure Hamas to accept proposed new terms for the ceasefire, a move supported by the White House. Hundreds of Palestinians have since been killed.
Israel has pledged to escalate the war in Gaza until Hamas returns the remaining hostages seized in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war, disarms and leaves the territory. Israel also has halted all supplies of food, fuel and humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Before boarding the plane, Netanyahu said he and Trump would discuss "the hostages, the completion of the victory in Gaza, and of course the tariff regime that was also imposed on Israel. I hope I can help in this matter. That is the intention." Israel faces a 17% tariff.
(AP)
