Marco Rubio Visits Israel Amid Tensions Over Qatar Strike and Gaza War

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday, reaffirming Washington’s steadfast support for its ally even as tensions flare following Israel’s unprecedented strike in Qatar. The attack, which targeted Hamas leaders in Doha last Tuesday, drew sharp criticism internationally and complicated efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.

President Donald Trump publicly rebuked Israel for the strike, signaling displeasure at the choice of location—Qatar being both a U.S. partner and a key mediator in the conflict. Still, Rubio emphasized before departing that while Trump was “not happy” with the incident, it would not alter the fundamental nature of U.S.–Israeli ties. “We are going to have to talk about the implications for truce efforts,” Rubio added, underscoring the sensitive moment for diplomacy.

Regional and Global Reactions

Rubio’s trip comes on the heels of Trump’s meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Washington on Friday. At the same time, Arab and Muslim leaders are scheduled to gather in Doha on Monday to demonstrate solidarity with Qatar following the Israeli strike.

Israel has defended the operation, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting that eliminating Hamas leadership removes the “main obstacle” to peace. Rubio is expected to hold formal discussions with Netanyahu and other senior officials on Monday, though his visit began with a symbolic stop at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. He is scheduled to depart on Tuesday.

Escalating Fighting in Gaza

Meanwhile, conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. Over the past week, Israel has intensified its campaign in Gaza City, the enclave’s largest urban center, urging residents to flee and leveling high-rise buildings it claims were used by Hamas.

The United Nations estimates roughly one million people remain in and around Gaza City, where famine has been declared due to Israeli restrictions on aid. AFP images captured harrowing scenes of civilians fleeing southward—families with infants, disabled residents, and elderly people moving through ruins.

On Sunday alone, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported at least seven deaths from Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military also issued fresh evacuation orders ahead of expected new bombardments. Media restrictions, however, continue to make independent verification of casualty figures extremely difficult.

Mounting Pressure on Israel

The international community has grown increasingly vocal. On Friday, the UN General Assembly voted to revive momentum for a two-state solution, despite staunch Israeli opposition. Key Western allies including Britain and France are preparing to formally recognize Palestinian statehood at an upcoming UN meeting, frustrated by Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.

Still, Israel retains the crucial backing of the United States. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Rubio’s trip was intended to underscore U.S. determination to counter “anti-Israel actions, including unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state that rewards Hamas terrorism.”

Domestically, Netanyahu is also under pressure. Families of hostages held in Gaza have accused him of blocking progress on negotiations. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum—the leading advocacy group—described Netanyahu as the “one obstacle” to securing the release of the remaining captives. Out of 251 hostages taken in Hamas’s October 2023 attack, Israel says 47 remain in Gaza, including at least 25 confirmed dead.

A War Without Resolution in Sight

Analysts remain skeptical that Rubio’s visit will bring a breakthrough. Brian Katulis of the Middle East Institute called out what he described as “alarming passivity” in Washington’s efforts to secure a ceasefire. He noted that despite Trump’s public rebuke of Israel, the administration has yet to apply real pressure to halt the conflict.

The war, now stretching into its second year, began with Hamas’s October 2023 assault on Israel that killed 1,219 people, most of them civilians. Israel’s relentless counteroffensive has since left at least 64,803 dead in Gaza, according to figures from the territory’s health ministry, which the United Nations continues to treat as credible.

Rubio’s Israel visit underscores the United States’ delicate balancing act—criticizing certain Israeli actions while maintaining unwavering support for its ally. With diplomatic initiatives faltering, mounting civilian casualties, and rising calls for recognition of Palestinian statehood, the conflict shows little sign of easing in the near future.