Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was en route to the United States early Sunday afternoon, departing from Hungary following the completion of the Israeli premier's state visit to Budapest.
"I am leaving for the United States at the invitation of President Trump," the prime minister said, adding that the two will discuss issues including the hostage crisis, finishing the war in Gaza, and tariffs that were recently imposed by the Trump administration on Israel.
"I am the first foreign leader to meet with Trump on this issue, which is so important to the Israeli economy. There is a very large queue of leaders who want to do this with respect to their economies. I think it reflects the special connection between the United States and Israel, which is so vital at this time."
Netanyahu is also expected to meet with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Maariv reported.
Speaking on Hungary
Speaking on Hungary, Netanyahu said that the country is "a very great friend of Israel: it protects us in the EU, it protects us in the UN, and no less than that - in the corrupt International Criminal Court at The Hague."
He also noted that Hungary was the first country to withdraw from the ICC, saying that it's "a sign of things to come."
This is a developing story.
Amichai Stein contributed to this report.