U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio landed in Israel on Sunday morning, where he held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu focused on the ongoing war in Gaza. Before his departure, Rubio posted on social media outlining the priorities of his visit: securing the release of hostages, ensuring humanitarian aid reaches civilians, and confronting the threat posed by Hamas. Rubio said that “Hamas cannot continue to exist if peace in the region is the goal.”
As Rubio meets with Netanyahu, an Arab-Islamic summit will be held Monday in Qatar’s capital, Doha, where preparations have begun. The meeting seeks to draft a response to Israel’s attack in Qatar, as Arab nations face pressure to take meaningful action rather than making statements that have been viewed as ineffective. After Israel’s strike, the United States reportedly asked the Persian Gulf nation to continue its mediation efforts as Prime Minister Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said in a statement that Qatar “reserves the right to respond” to the attack. (per UPI).
Upon arriving at Ben Gurion Airport, Rubio and his wife, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio, were welcomed by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and his wife, Janet. Shortly after, Rubio met privately with Netanyahu before the two made a joint visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, one of Judaism’s holiest sites. Netanyahu noted that he and Rubio placed a handwritten note in the cracks of the ancient stones, a longstanding tradition at the site. The visit included a tour of the archaeological area surrounding the Western Wall, joined by Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, as well as Rubio’s wife and the Huckabees.
Speaking about Rubio’s presence, Netanyahu said, “I think his visit here is a testament to the resilience and strength of the American-Israeli alliance, which is as durable and strong as the stones of the Western Wall that we just touched.”
According to a statement from Netanyahu, he and Rubio also offered a joint prayer for the hostages still held in Gaza, along with a prayer honoring President Donald Trump, whom the Israeli leader described as “a true friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.” Netanyahu went on to praise the U.S. partnership under Trump and Rubio’s leadership, stating that “under President Trump, Secretary Rubio and their entire team, this alliance has never been stronger, and we appreciate it very much. Not only on behalf of the people of Israel today, but also on behalf of the generations of Jews who came before us, in the hope that we will rebuild our country with friends like you. Thank you, Marco.”
According to the U.S. State Department, Rubio is expected to “convey America’s priorities in the Israel-Hamas conflict and broader issues concerning Middle Eastern security, reaffirming U.S. commitment to Israeli security” during his meetings with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.
High on the agenda is Israel’s planned operation to take control of Gaza City, the largest urban center in the Gaza Strip. Israel issued evacuation orders last week for city residents, warning that military operations there would be conducted “with great force.”
Editorial credit: Maxim Elramsisy / Shutterstock.com
