Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, before leaving for Washington to meet US President Donald Trump, today, Sunday, that joint work between them will contribute to "changing the Middle East and expanding the circle of peace through strength," as he put it.

Netanyahu added that the meeting will address strategic issues, including "eliminating Hamas," returning Israeli prisoners, and confronting what he described as "the Iranian axis, which poses a threat to the security of Israel and the entire world."

He stressed that cooperation with the Trump administration would enable Israel to strengthen its relations with the countries of the region, noting that cooperation between them would lead to "changing the Middle East, strengthening Israel's security, expanding the circle of peace, and achieving prosperity through strength."

He considered the meeting to be of special importance as it was Trump's first meeting with a foreign leader since his inauguration as President of the United States of America and his return to the White House on January 20 for a second term.

The Israeli prime minister told reporters before leaving for Washington that Trump's decision to have Netanyahu be the first foreign leader to meet with him "reflects the strength of the alliance and the relationship between us, a relationship that led to the 'Abraham Accords' led by President Trump."

Netanyahu considered that the decisions he made during the war "changed the Middle East," adding that "by working together with Trump, we can change it even more for the better, expand the circle of peace, and achieve an unprecedented era of prosperity and peace through strength."

Netanyahu and Trump will discuss the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, the prisoner exchange with Hamas, and the normalization file between Israel and Saudi Arabia. While Netanyahu is in Washington, Justice Minister Yariv Levin will assume the duties of prime minister, while Defense Minister Yisrael Katz will serve as head of the cabinet.

The Israeli newspaper "Israel Today" reported that Netanyahu will discuss with Trump a "new American plan" aimed at a "mass evacuation" of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. It added that "according to the American vision, a significant reduction in the population of the Strip will lead to the end of Hamas rule."