US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Visits Israel Amid Qatar Airstrike Fallout and Rising Global Pressure

JERUSALEM: The United States’ Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Saturday for an official visit, just days after the Israeli military carried out a controversial airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeting Hamas leadership. The move has sparked an international storm, deepening Israel’s diplomatic isolation and intensifying scrutiny of its Gaza campaign.

The strike on Tuesday failed to eliminate the Hamas leaders and came against the advice of senior Israeli intelligence and military officials. It also coincided with Friday’s overwhelming UN General Assembly vote in favour of a two-state solution, a development that highlighted Israel’s growing diplomatic challenges.

Marco Rubio Visits Israel After Qatar Airstrike Controversy

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Rubio and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Sunday. While no formal working meeting has been announced, the two leaders are expected to hold discussions on Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza and its long-term plans for the West Bank.

Military intelligence sources confirmed that Mossad had opposed the Doha strike and rejected an earlier plan for a ground operation, fearing it could endanger hostages. IDF Commander Gen. Eyal Zamir also voiced opposition, but the government ultimately opted for an air assault.

In a Saturday night tweet, Netanyahu admitted the airstrike failed to kill its intended targets, stating that eliminating Hamas leaders would have “removed the main obstacle to releasing our hostages and ending the war.”

Trump, US Administration Unhappy With Israel’s Qatar Strike

Before departing Washington, Rubio told reporters that President Donald Trump was “not happy” with Israel’s airstrike. He clarified, however, that the incident would not change America’s allied status with Israel.

“What’s happened has happened. Obviously, we were not happy about it, the President was not happy about it,” Rubio said, stressing that discussions in Israel would focus on the strike’s impact on ongoing truce efforts.

The United States was one of the few nations to vote against the UN’s two-state resolution. Washington echoed Jerusalem’s stance that acknowledging Palestinian sovereignty at this point would serve as “a prize for terror.”

Marco Rubio and Israel Discuss Truce, Hamas, and Hostages

Rubio emphasized that Trump’s position remains clear: Hamas must be defeated, the war must end, and all 48 hostages — including those believed to be deceased — must be returned.

“And we’ll have to discuss about how the events last week had an impact on the ability to achieve that in short order,” Rubio said.

For its part, the State Department confirmed that Rubio’s trip to Israel will focus on “operational goals and objectives” while reaffirming “the US commitment to Israeli security.”

Israel Faces Global Isolation Amid Gaza Campaign and West Bank Plans

The fallout from the Qatar airstrike, combined with the UNGA’s two-state vote, underscores Israel’s increasingly fragile diplomatic position. While Washington continues to provide support, Israel faces mounting international pressure over its actions in Gaza and plans to annex the West Bank.

Rubio’s visit thus comes at a critical juncture, with discussions likely to determine how Israel navigates its security objectives while managing strained global relations.

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