JERUSALEM (Realist English). Israel and the United States sought to project unity on Monday as international criticism mounted over Israeli airstrikes that killed Hamas operatives in Qatar and its intensifying bombardment of Gaza City.
Standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed the regional uproar sparked by last week’s Doha attack, which killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, and by Israel’s declared intention to occupy Gaza City. Rubio is expected to travel to Qatar on Tuesday in an effort to calm tensions between two key American allies before joining President Donald Trump in London for a state visit.
“We understand they’re not happy about what happened,” Rubio told Fox News. “But we still have Hamas, we still have hostages, and we still have a war. All those things have to be dealt with, and we are hopeful that Qatar and our Gulf partners will continue to add something constructive.”
Netanyahu and Rubio both reiterated that the conflict would end only with the elimination of Hamas and the release of 48 remaining hostages, roughly 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Hamas has conditioned any release on a lasting ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, and prisoner exchanges.
The Doha strike has effectively stalled mediation efforts. Rubio later met with hostage families, who voiced fears that Israel’s offensive could doom negotiations and urged Washington to resume talks urgently.
Meanwhile, Israel pressed ahead with its assault on Gaza. A high-rise in Gaza City was destroyed in a strike overnight, one of several that killed at least 18 people, including children and a journalist, according to local hospitals. Israel said it targeted militant infrastructure and blamed civilian deaths on Hamas’ use of dense urban areas.
Netanyahu gave no indication of scaling back operations. “Your presence here in Israel today is a clear message that America stands with Israel. You stand with us in the face of terror,” he told Rubio.
The diplomatic backdrop remains fraught. European nations and Canada are preparing to push for recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly, a move opposed by Washington and Jerusalem. Rubio argued that such recognition emboldens Hamas, while Netanyahu warned of possible unilateral annexations in response.
On the ground, Israel continued urging Gaza residents to move south to Muwasi, a crowded “humanitarian zone” where food and tents have been delivered but which has also been hit by strikes. Images showed streams of Palestinians fleeing along a narrow coastal road.
The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and abducted 251. Israel’s retaliation has since killed at least 64,871 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which says women and children account for about half of the casualties.
