Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has left for Washington for a several-day visit amid efforts to broker a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, DPA reported, BTA reported.
"This is my third visit to (US President Donald Trump) since he was elected more than six months ago," Netanyahu told reporters before departing from "Ben-Gurion" airport near Tel Aviv.
Yesterday, Trump told reporters that he believed a deal on Gaza hostage release and ceasefire could be reached this week.
"I think we're close to a deal on Gaza. "We can achieve it this week," he said.
Netanyahu will also hold talks with US government officials, representatives of both major parties and other key officials.
The Israeli leader is visiting Washington less than two weeks after the end of a 12-day war with Iran, during which Israel and the United States destroyed key facilities in Iran's nuclear program. Netanyahu said that air strikes on Iran, which Iranian officials say killed more than 900 people, will now make it possible to expand the "circle of peace, far beyond what we could have imagined before."
He added that the changed realities would bring a "great future" for Israel and the entire Middle East.
On the subject of the war in Gaza, Netanyahu said he had sent a delegation for indirect talks with "Hamas" in the Qatari capital Doha.
The talks are aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire, during which 10 of the 20 living Israeli hostages held by "Hamas" would be released. During the ceasefire, the parties are to negotiate, with the mediation of Qatar, Egypt and the United States, for a final end to the war and the release of the remaining hostages.
"Hamas" agreed to the proposal in principle, but demanded some modifications that Israel rejected.
Netanyahu said he was determined to achieve three goals: to return all hostages home, both dead and alive; to eliminate Hamas' capabilities and drive the organization from the Gaza Strip; to ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.
Experts and diplomats in Israel believe that the remaining differences between Israel and "Hamas" can be overcome.