U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed America’s support for Israel in Jerusalem, urging Hamas’ elimination while backing its Gaza war objectives.
Rubio emphasized that peace in the area cannot start until Hamas is "no longer a threat" during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“The people of Gaza deserve a better future, but that future can’t start until Hamas is dismantled. You can count on our unwavering support and commitment to see this through,”
Rubio said.
He stated that President Donald Trump is determined to "end the war in Gaza once and for all."
Netanyahu referred to Trump as "the greatest friend Israel has ever had" and deemed Rubio's visit as "a clear signal of American solidarity."
Rubio characterized the recognition of a Palestinian state by European Tories as "symbolic" and "ineffectual."
“These gestures do not bring peace closer. They embolden Hamas and other extremist factions, complicating efforts on the ground,”
Rubio said.
During his trip, Rubio was expected to talk about Israeli plans for the annexation of portions of the occupied West Bank; he received a briefing about Israel's intentions to completely occupy Gaza City, the region's largest metropolitan city.
The Gaza Civil Defense Agency reported that 17 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Monday, most of whom were from Gaza City.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked the south of Israel killing 1,219 people.
The Hamas-run health ministry reports that Israel's campaign has killed over 64,800 people in Gaza since it began; the UN continues to accept these estimates as the most accurate, despite Israeli objections.
Days prior to Rubio's arrival, a contentious Israeli strike in Qatar targeted a meeting of Hamas leaders to discuss a new ceasefire proposal supported by the United States.
The Trump administration was reportedly caught off guard by the timing of the strike, though Trump has publicly maintained that Qatar remains a key ally.
“We have to be careful, Qatar is a very important partner in the region — and so is Israel. We must act wisely,”
Trump said on Sunday.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been mediated mostly by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
However, Trump's administration has declined to join European nations in demanding that Israel's military campaign be stopped, citing worries that an early ceasefire may give Hamas time to reorganize.
Along with Netanyahu, Rubio made a symbolic stop at the Western Wall on Sunday to kick off his tour.
In the Palestinian enclave of Silwan, Netanyahu is also expected to attend the launch of a highly controversial archeological tunnel project that will connect the tourism routes to the Jewish holy sites.
How is the U.S. intending to bolster the Israeli military campaign in Gaza?
The U.S. sends Israel billions of dollars each year in military assistance, to say nothing of assisting assistance for advanced munitions, and fast-tracked weapons systems including guided artillery, anti-tank missiles, and air defense systems.
Moreover, the U.S. brings ships and air assets, including aircraft carriers, fighter jets, anti-missile systems, reconnaissance flights, and military personnel in or around Israel to deter and/or bolster operations.
The U.S. also provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to provide support for Israeli military operations in Gaza.
Also, the U.S. has exercised its veto to reject Security Council resolutions calling for ceasefires and hostile rebukes to Israeli operations, as well as to avoid Israel becoming embroiled in the legal aspects of international law.