U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel to address the ongoing war in Gaza, days after Israel launched an attack on Hamas members in Qatar. The strike, which targeted militants involved in ceasefire talks, has drawn widespread condemnation from international partners, including Qatar, a key US ally.
Before leaving Washington, Rubio acknowledged President Donald Trump was “not happy” about the strike but emphasized the strength of US-Israel ties. “Now we need to move forward and figure out what comes next,” he said.
Ceasefire Efforts Complicated
Hamas leaders had been in Doha discussing a US-backed ceasefire proposal when the Israeli strike hit. Qatar has condemned the action as “cowardly” and a violation of international law. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended it as a justified move against those who organized the October 7, 2023 attacks.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum accused Netanyahu of undermining negotiations, claiming “every time a deal approaches, Netanyahu sabotages it.” Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages in Gaza, with about 20 believed to be alive.
Escalation in Gaza City
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have intensified bombardments in Gaza City, destroying residential blocks and ordering civilians to flee south. Local officials say at least 30 buildings have been leveled in recent days. The UN has warned that further escalation in famine-stricken areas will deepen the humanitarian crisis.
Displaced resident Musbah al-Kafarna told Reuters, “The bombardment intensified everywhere and we took down the tents, more than 20 families, we do not know where to go.”
Mounting Civilian Toll
The Hamas-run health ministry reported 68 deaths from Israeli strikes in a single day, with overall fatalities surpassing 64,000 since the war began. It also claims 144 people have died from starvation and malnutrition since famine was confirmed in August. Israel disputes those figures but says it is increasing aid access.
The war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages, continues to push Gaza deeper into humanitarian disaster. An emergency Arab-Islamic summit hosted by Qatar on Monday is expected to focus on the fallout from Israel’s strike and next steps toward ceasefire talks.
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