US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Sunday, aiming to limit diplomatic fallout from Israel's missile strike on Doha that killed Hamas aides and a Qatari security officer. The attack, which targeted Hamas leaders involved in Gaza ceasefire talks, has angered Qatar, a key US ally that hosts the group for negotiations.
Rubio acknowledged Donald Trump's displeasure over the strike, telling reporters before his departure that "the president was not happy about it." He added, however, that the incident would not alter US-Israel relations. The Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, defended the action, saying Israel "will pursue the terrorists everywhere" and that the American reaction had been "reasonable."
During a tour of the Western Wall, Netanyahu described the US-Israel alliance as "as strong as the stones in the Western Wall," though Rubio remained silent when prompted to speak. The visit also included the City of David archaeological park in Silwan, a site critics say is used to justify Israeli territorial claims.
Rubio's trip comes as Qatar prepares to host an emergency Arab and Islamic summit, where its prime minister urged the international community to "stop using double standards" and punish Israel for alleged crimes. Meanwhile, Israel continues its Gaza offensive, with the death toll approaching 65,000 and hundreds of thousands ordered to move south.
The US has signalled broad support for Israel despite its facing genocide accusations, an ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu, and a UN general assembly vote next week on Palestinian statehood, which several allies including the UK and France are expected to back.
