Netanyahu heads to Washington amid Biden’s withdrawal decision; Gaza war, Iran on agenda

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington on Monday to deliver a key speech, as the military ordered fresh evacuations in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis before sending in troops. Netanyahu called the visit Monday a “very important trip” that comes at a time of “great political uncertainty”, referring to US President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election and as Washington pushes Israel to seek a ceasefire deal with Hamas. The premier is due to meet Biden on Tuesday and address the US Congress the day after. He departs Israel with significant domestic pressure to agree to a truce and hostage release deal in Gaza. The nine-month-old war in the Palestinian territory raged on unabated on Monday, with Israel telling civilians in the eastern part of Khan Yunis to evacuate.