Rubio meets Netanyahu on way to Qatar, downplays tension

State Secretary Marco Rubio reaffirmed American support for Israel during a Monday media address with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Rubio arrived in Jerusalem on Sunday and met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday to mark the fifth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, a regional pro-Israel alliance. Rubio planned to visit Qatari leaders on Tuesday, according to a Monday interview.

Last week, Israel targeted Hamas leaders in an attack on Qatar, which President Donald Trump signaled displeasure at. It’s unclear whether the attack was successful, but Hamas reported that it killed five people who were not leaders. Trump released a statement last Tuesday acknowledging that Israel was launching attacks on Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital of Doha. Trump described Qatar as a strong ally and reiterated that Israel carried out the mission on its own without American input.

What are Rubio and Netanyahu saying about the attack now? Netanyahu reemphasized that the decision to target Hamas leaders in Qatar was an independent decision by Israel and assumed full responsibility. America is only focused on what happens next and how Qatar can help broker a hostage release deal, Rubio said. He echoed Trump’s recent comments, insisting that all hostages, both living and deceased, must be returned to Israel. The secretary also mentioned that Qatar played a constructive role in dismantling Hamas and giving the people of Gaza a better future.

Rubio’s visit to Doha will come after dozens of leaders from Arab and Muslim countries convened in Qatar on Monday for an emergency Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting. The coalition condemned Israel’s attack on Qatar and called on the United Nations Security Council to hold Israel responsible for the alleged charter violation. 

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report for more background on Israel’s strikes on Qatar last week.