Rubio Meets with Netanyahu to Address Diplomatic Fallout from Israeli Strike in Qatar

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio travelled to Jerusalem to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the wake of an Israeli airstrike in Doha, which struck Hamas leaders and a Qatari security officer, sparking widespread regional condemnation.

Rubio conveyed America’s displeasure with the strike, affirming that President Trump found the operation troubling, while emphasising that the incident would not fundamentally alter the U.S.-Israel alliance.
In discussions, Rubio sought transparency on Israel’s future strategy in Gaza and pressed for clarity on how the strike would affect ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations.

Despite his public criticism, Rubio reassured that the bilateral relationship remained strong and resilient. Significantly, Rubio visited sensitive religious sites in Jerusalem, including the Western Wall and the City of David, reinforcing support for Israel amid the crisis.

These visits, and his diplomatic approach, appeared aimed at preserving regional stability and preventing further fragmentation among U.S. allies in the Arab world.

On the diplomatic front, Qatar condemned the strike and convened an emergency summit of Arab and Islamic leaders to coordinate a unified response. Qatar’s prime minister denounced double standards and warned that such actions undermine trust and jeopardise efforts to broker peace.

Amid mounting global scrutiny, Rubio’s mission balanced public diplomacy with private tension, underscoring Washington’s commitment to support Israel while managing the repercussions of the Doha attack.

Sources: The Guardian, Reuters, AP News, Financial Times, Washington Post