Web Desk; United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed their countries’ strong alliance during extended talks in West Jerusalem, even as the Arab-Islamic summit in Doha condemned Israel’s strike on Qatar. Netanyahu admitted “full responsibility” for the unprecedented attack but maintained Israel’s hardline stance on the war in Gaza.
The two leaders met for nearly two hours on Monday, followed by a joint press conference. Netanyahu emphasized that Washington and Tel Aviv would continue acting “shoulder to shoulder” to safeguard their security. He hailed Rubio’s visit as proof of America’s commitment to Israel “in the face of terror.” At the same time, Netanyahu dismissed international criticism, including remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump, calling it “immense hypocrisy.” He reiterated that Israel would strike Hamas “wherever they are.”
Rubio echoed Israeli talking points, insisting Hamas must be eliminated as an armed threat to regional peace. When pressed about Israel’s attack on Doha, he declined to condemn it, stressing instead the need to “focus on what happens next.”
The show of unity followed a symbolic visit to the Western Wall by Rubio, Netanyahu, and U.S. envoy Mike Huckabee on Sunday. However, as Al Jazeera noted, their press conference provided little clarity on the Doha strike or Israel’s expanding offensive in Gaza, which continues to draw international condemnation.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Human Rights Council announced it will hold an emergency debate on Tuesday over Israel’s “recent military aggression” in Qatar. The request came jointly from Pakistan, representing the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and Kuwait, speaking for the Gulf Cooperation Council.
On the ground in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis deepened. Seven infants, including four fetuses, died in Khan Younis’s Nasser Hospital due to starvation and medical shortages caused by Israel’s siege. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported at least 422 deaths linked to hunger, 145 of them children, since famine was formally declared last month. Airstrikes continued pounding Gaza City, killing dozens more civilians.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stoked controversy by calling for a luxury coastal neighbourhood for Israeli police officers “over the ruins of Gaza.” Meanwhile, Oxfam and dozens of global NGOs launched a campaign urging governments to ban trade with illegal West Bank settlements.
Rubio is also set to inaugurate a contentious tourist tunnel beneath Silwan, drawing Palestinian anger over fears it will undermine homes and erase their presence in Jerusalem.
