Israel's Netanyahu departs to address U.S. Congress, meet Biden

Amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington on Monday, saying he would seek to "anchor the bipartisan support" for Israel at the U.S. Congress.

Before embarking on the plane, he told reporters that he would make a speech before both houses of Congress "at a time when Israel is fighting on seven fronts and when there's great political uncertainty in Washington."

"I will tell my friends on both sides of the aisle that regardless who the American people choose as their next president, Israel remains America's indispensable and strong ally in the Middle East," Netanyahu said in a statement released minutes before his departure.

Netanyahu said he plans to meet U.S. President Joe Biden, who announced on Sunday that he is quitting the election race for the presidency. Netanyahu said he would thank Biden for over 40 years of friendship and for "the things he did for Israel in the war" and ask for more support for Israel's hardline stance on the negotiations for a ceasefire-hostage deal with Hamas and to defend Israel in case of possible attacks by Iran's allies in the Middle East.

"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," he said.

The visit comes amid growing criticism against Netanyahu at home over his failure to secure the release of about 120 hostages still being held in Gaza and the continuation of the war, which began on October 7 last year.

On Sunday, thousands of families of hostages and supporters blocked several entries to the Ben Gurion International Airport and rallied in Tel Aviv, calling on Netanyahu to accept the proposed deal and resign.

(With input from agencies)