US Senator Marco Rubio has arrived in Israel to discuss the war in Gaza. His visit follows an Israeli strike on Hamas members in Qatar, which drew global criticism.
Before leaving, Rubio said US President Donald Trump was unhappy with the strike. However, he emphasized that the US-Israel relationship remains “very strong.”
“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,” Rubio said at Joint Base Andrews.
Gaza Faces Worsening Crisis
Israeli forces continue to target Gaza City, destroying residential buildings. Thousands of residents are fleeing ahead of a possible ground offensive. Footage confirmed by the BBC showed bombs hitting the al-Kawthar tower. Local officials say at least 30 buildings have been destroyed.
The Israeli military claims it has conducted five waves of airstrikes, targeting Hamas positions, tunnel entrances, and weapons depots. Israel has asked Gaza City residents to move south. About 250,000 have fled, but many remain due to safety and financial concerns. Hamas has urged people not to leave.
Humanitarian Toll Rises
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening. The Hamas-run health ministry reported 68 deaths in a single day from the strikes. Since a UN-backed famine warning on August 22, at least 144 deaths from starvation and malnutrition have been recorded. Israel disputes these figures but says it is expanding aid delivery efforts.
Hostages and Diplomatic Challenges
At least 48 Israeli hostages are held by Hamas, with 20 believed alive. Families have criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming he obstructs peace efforts.
Rubio’s visit comes as Qatar hosts an emergency Arab-Islamic summit to discuss next steps after Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders there. The attack was condemned by Doha as a violation of international law. Netanyahu defended the strike, saying it targeted senior Hamas leaders behind the October 7 attacks.
Moving Forward
Rubio highlighted that the US priority remains the safe return of hostages and an end to the war. His visit underscores the delicate balance the US faces between supporting Israel and managing international criticism over civilian casualties.
