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Friday 26 of April 2024

Israeli leader to leave US early because of Gaza attack


AP Photo,Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaks during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, at Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem, Thursday March 21, 2019. Netanyahu has praised U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of its control over the Golan Heights as a holiday
AP Photo,Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaks during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, at Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem, Thursday March 21, 2019. Netanyahu has praised U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of its control over the Golan Heights as a holiday "miracle." (Amir Cohen/Pool via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (neh-ten-YAH’-hoo) says he’s cutting short his visit to Washington after a Gaza rocket attack on Israel.

Netanyahu described Monday morning’s rocket launch that struck a home in central Israel as a “criminal attack” and vowed to strike back hard. He says he will return to Israel to handle the crisis shortly after meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday.

An Israeli rescue service says the rocket from the Gaza Strip wounded seven people.

Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Sunday for what was to have been a three-day visit. He was going to speak at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and was to be hosted at a White House dinner.