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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly left Israel for his planned visit to the U.S. under unusually strict security measures driven by concerns over potential threats from Iran, Israeli media reported on Monday.
According to Israeli outlet Yedioth Ahronoth, authorities kept both the departure time and location of Netanyahu's flight confidential before his trip.
Instead of taking off from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, the prime minister's aircraft left from the Israeli military's Nevatim Air Base near Beersheba, the report suggested.
The Prime Minister's Office also broke with normal practice by withholding the aircraft's departure time in advance. In addition, a video statement recorded by Netanyahu shortly before takeoff was released with a delay.
No journalists accompanied Netanyahu on the flight, and the Prime Minister's Office did not comment on the reported security arrangements.
Netanyahu is due to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday in what will be their first face-to-face talks since the recent escalation between Israel, the United States and Iran.
Before departing, Netanyahu called Iran the top priority for the talks, while saying the two leaders would also discuss broader regional issues and efforts to "expand the circle of peace" in the Middle East. He described the visit as a mission to "ensure the security, strength, and future" of Israel.
The visit marks Netanyahu's eighth meeting with Trump since the U.S. president returned to office and follows weeks of tensions between the two leaders over the Iran conflict, with disagreements emerging over U.S. efforts to pursue diplomacy and pause military operations.
Netanyahu also said he would attend the funeral of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, whom he described as "a true friend of mine and of the State of Israel" and "one of the greatest friends the State of Israel has ever known."
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