Israel's Netanyahu heads to Washington after Biden exits US election race

The Prime Minister is set to address US Congress ahead of ceasefire talks between mediators in Doha, sources say.

President Joe Biden, a staunch Israeli ally, visited Israel after the October 7 attacks. Reuters

Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington where he is set to deliver a speech to US Congress this week, a day before Gaza ceasefire mediators will meet Israeli and Hamas negotiators in Doha, sources told The National on Monday.

Mr Netanyahu's high-stakes visit is fraught with political uncertainty after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election and as Washington continues to push for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Talks are set to resume on Thursday in the Qatari capital between mediators and negotiators, sources familiar with the process said.

The Israeli Prime Minister is set to deliver a speech at the US Congress on Wednesday which he said would “seek to anchor the bipartisan support that is so important for Israel”.

Speaking at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Mr Netanyahu said that the trip would be an opportunity to “thank [Mr Biden] for the things he did for Israel in the war and during his long and distinguished career in public service, as a senator, as vice president, and as President”.

The US, by far Israel’s most important ally, has been crucial throughout the war in Gaza. The relationship between Mr Netanyahu and Mr Biden has nonetheless become strained amid increasing US disquiet about how Israel is conducting the war, the mounting risk of a regional conflict, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and significant anger among Democrats, particularly younger ones, over US support for Israel.

“It will also be an opportunity to discuss with [Mr Biden] how to advance in the critical months ahead the goals that are important for both our countries: achieving the release of all our hostages, defeating Hamas, confronting the terror axis of Iran and its proxies, and ensuring that all Israel citizens return safely to their homes in the north and in the south,” Mr Netanyahu said.

“In this time of war and uncertainty, it's important that Israel's enemies know that America and Israel stand together today, tomorrow, and always.”

Mr Biden will remain in office until January 20 next year.

Mr Netanyahu’s address at Congress is widely viewed in the Israeli media as an attempt to reach out to former president Donald Trump who is running again for the role.

However, Mr Biden still has months left in office, a critical period in the Gaza War during which US support will be vital as Israel faces down increasingly severe threats from Iranian regional proxies and a series of damaging legal rulings in international courts.

“I will seek to anchor the bipartisan support that is so important for Israel,” Mr Netanyahu said of his US trip.

“And I will tell my friends on both sides of the aisle that regardless of who the American people choose as their next president, Israel remains America's indispensable and strong ally in the Middle East.”

The trip has been politicised in Israel amid desperation for a deal with Hamas that would see the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

A new round of talks with Hamas are set to take place this week after multiple collapses. Mr Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he would dispatch a new delegation with senior officials to continue negotiations at an unspecified location.

Sources said Israeli negotiators were set to meet Hamas representatives and mediators from the US, Qatar, and Egypt in Doha on Thursday, a day after Mr Netanyahu is scheduled to address Congress.

The sources told The National that the US, Israeli and Egyptian delegates heading to Doha would be high-ranking officials but not the heads of the CIA and Egyptian and Israeli intelligence as had been the case during previous rounds of negotiations.

They said that Israel has not responded to Egyptian proposals to end Israeli control of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza. Israel, they added, remains adamant that the return home of displaced Palestinians in Gaza must be subject to security screening. It is also insisting that the first batch of hostages to be released by Hamas as part of the first phase must be no fewer than 20 captives – the majority of whom must be alive.

“The proposals are fragile and can come unglued at any minute,” said one source, alluding to possible opposition by Hamas and Israel to crucial parts of the proposals.

Opponents of Mr Netanyahu have accused him of repeatedly sabotaging talks for his political survival. His coalition, the most right wing in Israel’s history, has factions who are threatening to topple the government if Israel agrees to a deal that prevents Israel from carrying on a fully-fledged war effort in Gaza.

In addition to Gaza, the conflict between Israel and Yemen's Houthis has escalated in recent days following direct attacks between the two sides. The sources said Egypt has asked Oman to persuade the Houthis and their Iranian backers to stop attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes.

“The latest escalation by the Houthis is horrific,” said another source, referring to the attack of Tel Aviv last week by a drone fired by the Houthis. “There may be more similar attacks by the Houthis in light of reports that they have changed launching positions and relevant personnel and commanders are taking refuge in bunkers.”