Washington: United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio landed in Israel on Sunday because the fallout from final week’s Israeli strike in Qatar continues to ship shockwaves throughout the Center East. His arrival got here simply hours earlier than Arab and Islamic leaders collect in Doha for an emergency summit on the unprecedented assault.
Rubio’s first cease was Jerusalem’s Western Wall. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood with him and US envoy Mike Huckabee in entrance of the traditional stones. Cameras rolled as Netanyahu delivered a well-recognized message. “Beneath President Trump and Secretary Rubio, this alliance has by no means been stronger, and we deeply respect it. It’s sturdy because the stones,” he stated.
The journey follows days of rigidity between Washington and Tel Aviv. US President Donald Trump had criticised the strike on Qatari soil, which focused Hamas officers however left six folks lifeless, together with a Qatari safety officer.
Talking to reporters earlier than boarding his airplane, Rubio made clear the USA was unsettled by the incident. Trump, he stated, was “not completely happy” concerning the strike. However he confused that the episode was “not going to alter the character of our relationship with the Israelis”.
The secretary revealed his speedy targets. “The president desires this to be completed with. And completed with that means 48 hostages launched suddenly. Hamas is not a risk, so we are able to transfer on to the following part, which is, how do you rebuild Gaza? How do you present safety? How do you be certain Hamas by no means comes again once more? That’s the president’s precedence,” Rubio stated.
He acknowledged that particulars of reconstruction remained unclear. “It has but to be decided who will try this, who can pay for it and who shall be accountable for the method,” he added.
On Saturday, he posted on X that his agenda in Israel would centre on “securing the return of hostages, discovering methods to ensure humanitarian support reaches civilians and addressing the risk posed by Hamas”.
Regional observers described the go to as an effort at “injury management” following worldwide condemnation of the strike in Qatar. They are saying Netanyahu remains to be vowing that the strike in Doha maybe gained’t be an remoted incident, regardless of US guarantees that it’ll occur once more.
The strike on Doha rattled Washington. US officers described it as a unilateral escalation that did not serve both American or Israeli pursuits. The assault got here as Hamas leaders met to contemplate a US-backed ceasefire plan. They survived. The talks collapsed. Condemnation poured in from Arab states.
Each the USA and Qatar had pledged to maintain pushing for a truce. However Netanyahu proceed to maneuver forward with tougher line agenda. Late on Saturday, he stated on social media that it’s Israel’s view that the Hamas management must be pushed out of Qatar, as a result of in Israel’s view, Hamas isn’t dedicated to peace.
The Israeli prime minister has additionally pressed forward along with his settlement agenda, signing off on growth plans within the occupied West Financial institution. Observers notice that the transfer all however shuts the door on a future Palestinian state.
On the United Nations, frustration with Israel has grown. On Friday, the Basic Meeting voted in favour of reviving the two-state answer. France, the UK and different Western governments are getting ready to recognise Palestinian statehood at an upcoming UN session.
In the meantime, Hamas has stated it is able to launch all captives and step apart for an interim Palestinian administration on the situation that Israel withdraws totally from Gaza and ends the battle.
Rubio’s go to comes at a second of sharp uncertainty. Trump has signalled he desires the battle to finish quickly. Arab leaders put together to satisfy in Doha. Netanyahu, for his half, reveals no signal of backing down.