JERUSALEM, Israel – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, with Israel’s controversial strike in Qatar dominating the agenda.
The attack, which targeted senior Hamas leaders on Qatari soil last week, has sparked international condemnation and strained Israel’s relations with key allies, including the United States. President Donald Trump publicly criticised the move, calling it “unacceptable.”
Speaking before the meeting, Rubio admitted Washington was displeased with the incident.
“Obviously we’re not happy about it. The president was not happy about it. Now we need to move forward and figure out what comes next,” he said.
Qatar, which hosts a major US airbase and has been central to mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, denounced the strike as a violation of its sovereignty.
Arab leaders convened in Doha for an emergency summit, where Qatar’s prime minister urged the international community to “end double standards” and hold Israel accountable.
Despite tensions, Netanyahu sought to underscore the resilience of US-Israel ties.
During a symbolic visit with Rubio to the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City, the prime minister declared the relationship “as durable as the stones in the Wall.”
The two, joined by US ambassador Mike Huckabee, declined to address questions about the Qatar strike.
The pair were also expected to discuss Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Israeli forces have continued demolishing residential buildings in Gaza City and are reportedly preparing to launch a ground offensive into western neighbourhoods.
The military has ordered civilians to evacuate southwards, but aid agencies estimate that while about 250,000 residents have fled, hundreds of thousands remain trapped.
Many Palestinians say they cannot afford to relocate or fear for their safety after Israeli airstrikes also targeted the south.
The meeting comes ahead of next week’s UN General Assembly, where several US allies—including the UK, France, Canada, Australia, and Belgium—are expected to formally recognise the State of Palestine, further isolating Israel diplomatically.
