DOHA, Qatar — Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s go to to Israel sends a “clear message” of help, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Monday, because it emerged {that a} key Qatari negotiator narrowly averted an Israeli strike as a result of their assembly was delayed.
Rubio landed in Jerusalem on Sunday looking for solutions from Israel after its unprecedented assault on Hamas leaders inside Qatar, one other key American associate in the Center East. The Trump administration has sought to distance itself from the strike, which has outraged regional powers and will have escalated even additional.
Qatar’s key negotiator, who recurrently talks to each Israel and Hamas, was as a result of be on the villa that Israel struck final Tuesday, a diplomat with information of the talks instructed NBC Information. On the final second his assembly with Hamas was delayed, they stated.
Rubio stated Saturday that the U.S. was sad in regards to the assault on the constructing in Qatar’s capital, Doha, however Netanyahu emphasised the enduring U.S.-Israel alliance as the 2 spoke to reporters.
“America has no higher ally than Israel, and naturally, Israel has no higher ally than America,” he stated, including that President Donald Trump is the “best pal” Israel has ever had within the White Home.
“Your go to to Israel at present is a transparent message that the USA stands with Israel,” he stated to Rubio.
Rubio, too, promised “unwavering help” for Israel’s objectives in Gaza, saying Hamas have to be “eradicated” and the hostages returned “instantly.”
“As a lot as we may need that there’d be a form of a peaceable, diplomatic technique to finish it, and we’ll proceed to discover and be devoted to it, we additionally must be ready for the likelihood that that’s not going to occur,” he added.
Regardless of the general public present of unity, Rubio’s journey underlines Washington’s delicate effort to steadiness relations with key allies whereas managing the fallout of the assault.
Rubio will journey to Qatar on Tuesday after assembly with Netanyahu in Israel, then make his technique to the U.Okay., in accordance with a senior State Division official.
On Sunday, Qatar started internet hosting a summit of Arab and Muslim leaders within the wake of the strikes, which drew condemnation from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and different regional powers.
The United Nations Human Rights Council stated it will maintain an pressing debate on Tuesday to “focus on the current navy aggression” by Israel on Qatar.
Trump met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in New York on Friday, days after Israel’s strike. The Qatari premier, who accused Israel of getting “killed any hope” of releasing hostages nonetheless held in Gaza, additionally met with Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.
Elsewhere, Israeli forces have intensified aerial assaults on famine-stricken Gaza Metropolis and close by areas in current weeks, as a part of an operation to occupy town.
