IRIA News

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on September 14, 2025, as the country intensified its assault on Gaza City, flattening residential towers and forcing mass displacement.

Rubio’s visit comes days after Israeli strike on Hamas officials in Qatar, a move that has strained Washington’s efforts to secure a ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that U.S.-Israeli relations have “never been stronger” despite U.S. frustration over Israel’s recent strike on Hamas operatives in Qatar. His comments came during a visit to the Western Wall on Sunday alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Netanyahu described the relationship “as durable as the stones in the Western Wall,” emphasizing resilience even amid disagreements. Rubio, however, noted that U.S. President Donald Trump was “not happy” about the attack, which targeted Hamas officials in Doha while ceasefire talks were underway.

After his visit to Israel, Rubio will travel to Qatar, where Arab and Muslim leaders have gathered to condemn Israel’s attack last week.

Rubio’s Visit and US Position

Speaking before he arrived in Israel, Rubio said the strike in Qatar had complicated Washington’s efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal. “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 told reporters at Joint Base Andrews.

Rubio stressed that the Trump administration’s priority remains the return of all Israeli hostages and the eventual end of the war. He added that Qatar, which hosts a key U.S. air base, remains “a good partner on several fronts” despite the fallout from the Israeli strike.

Rubio’s visit comes as Israeli forces intensify attacks in Gaza City, destroying residential towers and displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. The U.S. is balancing its support for Israel with efforts to maintain ties with Qatar, an ally central to regional diplomacy.

Doha has strongly condemned the strike, calling it “cowardly” and a “flagrant violation of international law.” Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani urged the international community to “abandon double standards” and hold Israel accountable.

Despite the condemnation, Qatar signaled that it will continue its mediation efforts. “Israel’s practices will not stop Qatar’s efforts to mediate an end to the war in Gaza,” the prime minister said at a preparatory meeting for an emergency Arab-Islamic summit, which opens Monday in Doha.

Netanyahu defended the strike as “fully justified,” claiming it targeted Hamas leaders who organized the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Critics, however, argue that the move has further undermined ceasefire negotiations.

Hostage Concerns

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing relatives of those held in Gaza, accused Netanyahu of undermining progress toward a deal. “Every time a deal approaches, Netanyahu sabotages it,” the group wrote on social media.

According to Israeli officials, 48 hostages remain in Gaza, of whom about 20 are believed to be alive. Families of the captives have called Netanyahu “the one obstacle” to their return.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have ordered civilians to leave Gaza City ahead of an expected ground offensive, estimating that about 250,000 people have already fled. However, hundreds of thousands remain, with many saying they cannot afford to leave or believe the south is no safer, given continued airstrikes there.

Footage showed bombs striking the Al Kawthar tower in Gaza City on Sunday, while local officials reported at least 30 residential buildings destroyed in recent days. The IDF said it carried out five waves of airstrikes in the city, targeting more than 500 locations, including Hamas reconnaissance sites, tunnel entrances, and weapons storage facilities.

Residents described the situation as desperate. “The bombardment intensified everywhere, and we took down the tents, more than 20 families, we do not know where to go,” said Musbah Al Kafarna, displaced in Gaza City.

Civilian Deaths and Famine Warning

The United Nations has warned that Israel’s military escalation risks deepening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where famine was declared in late August. Since then, at least 144 people have died from starvation and malnutrition, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel disputes those figures but says it is working to expand aid deliveries.

Two more Palestinians died of starvation-related causes on Sunday, bringing the official death toll from malnutrition to 277 adults and 145 children since October 2023, according to Gaza health officials.

Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and abducted 251 hostages, the Hamas-run health ministry says at least 64,871 people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes.

The UN has warned that Israel’s planned occupation of Gaza City could push civilians into “an even deeper catastrophe.” Aid organizations and human rights groups argue that the continued bombardment of residential areas violates international law. Israel denies accusations of genocide and maintains its operations are aimed solely at dismantling Hamas infrastructure.

Local hospitals reported at least 13 more Palestinians killed and dozens wounded in Israeli strikes on Sunday. Targets included a vehicle near Shifa hospital, a roundabout in Gaza City, and a tent in Deir Al Balah that killed six members of the same family, including three children.

Diplomatic Balancing Act

Rubio’s visit underscores Washington’s challenge in managing relations with both Israel and Qatar. On Friday, he and President Trump met with Qatar’s prime minister to address the fallout from the Israeli strike. The meetings highlight U.S. attempts to maintain balance between allies while international condemnation of Israel grows.

The Doha attack appears to have ended immediate efforts toward a ceasefire and hostage release deal. With the UN General Assembly session approaching, the war in Gaza is set to dominate global debate over recognition of a Palestinian state and the future of the conflict.