Days After the Doha Strikes.. Rubio Arrives in Israel

SadaNews - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday morning for a visit to reaffirm his country’s support for Tel Aviv, despite the strikes targeting Hamas leaders that have been criticized by President Donald Trump.

Rubio, who is set to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials, reiterated his country’s support for Israel before heading to Tel Aviv, despite the strikes that have drawn criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as regional and international parties.

The unprecedented strikes have angered Doha, a U.S. ally in the region, and have been condemned by regional and international actors. They have also overshadowed efforts to reach a ceasefire in the ongoing war and the release of hostages in the sector, especially since Qatar is a key player in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, which confirmed that the head of its negotiating delegation, Khalil Al-Hayya, survived the bombing.

Rubio's visit comes amid international pressure on Israel due to its escalating military operations in northern Gaza, and just days before the United Nations General Assembly meetings, where several Western countries plan to recognize a Palestinian state, a move condemned by Israel and Washington.

Rubio confirmed that Trump’s rare public criticism of Israel over the Doha bombing will not change the broad support that Washington provides to Tel Aviv.

He told reporters before his departure, "What’s done is done. It’s clear that we are not happy about it, and the president was not happy about it."

However, he emphasized that "this will not change the nature of our relationship with the Israelis, but we need to discuss it (...) and primarily what impact it will have" on efforts to reach a ceasefire in the ongoing war since October 7, 2023.

Rubio continued: "We need to move forward and see what comes next, because ultimately, when all is said and done, there is a group called Hamas that still exists."

Qatar, alongside the United States and Egypt, is a key player in mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. Doha has hosted several rounds of indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel.