Marco Rubio Heads to Israel Amid Middle East Tensions Over Qatar Strike and Gaza War
Jerusalem – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Israel on Saturday, as Washington faces growing friction with its allies in the Middle East following Israel’s recent airstrike on Hamas leaders in Qatar and continued settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.
Rubio Pushes Diplomacy After Qatar Strike
Speaking to reporters before his departure, Rubio acknowledged that President Donald Trump and the United States were “not happy” about Israel’s strike in Doha. However, he stressed that Washington’s close relationship with Israel remains unchanged.
“What’s happened, has happened,” Rubio said. “We’re going to meet with Israeli leaders, talk about what the future holds, and focus on securing the release of the remaining hostages.”
He added that 48 hostages remain in Hamas custody, and emphasized the urgent need for their immediate release. Beyond that, he highlighted the challenge of rebuilding Gaza once the war ends, saying questions remain over who will lead the reconstruction, who will finance it, and how it will be managed.
Balancing US, Israeli, and Arab Priorities
Rubio’s visit comes just days after Israel’s attempted strike on Hamas’s political leadership in Doha, an attack that angered Arab states and disrupted Qatar-mediated ceasefire talks. US officials privately described the move as a “unilateral escalation” that undermined both American and Israeli interests.
On Friday, Rubio met Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani at the White House. Later that evening, President Trump also hosted Al-Thani for dinner in New York, underscoring Qatar’s pivotal role as a mediator in ongoing negotiations.
Gaza War’s Heavy Toll
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has now stretched close to two years, killing more than 64,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and displacing nearly the entire population of the enclave. Aid groups and genocide scholars worldwide have accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, charges Israel rejects.
The war was triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, according to Israeli figures. While some captives have been released through mediated deals, dozens remain held in Gaza.
Global Pressure Builds
Rubio’s trip to Israel precedes high-level meetings at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where countries such as France and Britain are expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state — a move Israel fiercely opposes.
Washington argues that early recognition could embolden Hamas and undermine negotiations. Rubio has also warned that such actions could push Israel’s far-right coalition toward annexation of parts of the West Bank, further inflaming tensions in the region.
After his stop in Israel, Rubio is scheduled to join President Trump on a visit to Britain next week, as the administration seeks to balance support for Israel with growing global calls for Palestinian statehood and accountability.