Washington, D.C.: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio departed for Israel on Saturday in a bid to defuse mounting tensions following Israeli strikes on Hamas leaders in Qatar and the announcement of expanded settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Speaking to reporters before boarding his flight, Rubio said Washington was “concerned” about the strikes, which Qatar has condemned as a violation of its sovereignty. “We have made our position clear to the Israeli government,” he said, while stressing that the US‑Israel alliance “remains strong and essential to regional stability.”
The visit will focus on securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, advancing ceasefire talks in Gaza, and addressing the humanitarian crisis in the enclave. The trip comes as the conflict enters its eleventh month, with international mediators warning that the latest escalation could derail fragile negotiations.
Israeli officials have defended the strikes as “necessary counter‑terrorism measures,” while Palestinian leaders accuse Israel of deepening the crisis through settlement expansion.
+ There are no comments
Add yours