Rubio Backs Israel’s Gaza Offensive, Rejects Quick Ceasefire Hopes

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, pledging America's unyielding backing for Israel's intensified offensive in Gaza City aimed at wiping out Hamas. Despite recent tensions over Israeli strikes in Qatar, Rubio dismissed diplomatic hopes for a quick end to the nearly two-year conflict, calling Hamas "barbaric animals" and insisting that true peace requires their total elimination.

"The people of Gaza deserve a better future, but that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated," Rubio declared during a joint press conference with Netanyahu. "You can count on our unwavering support." His remarks came amid a fresh wave of Israeli military actions in Gaza City, the territory's bustling heart, where the United Nations warned last month of famine threatening a million lives—a claim Israel vehemently denies. Israeli strikes on Monday alone claimed 49 lives, predominantly in Gaza City, according to the enclave's civil defense agency, though independent verification remains challenging due to media blackouts and access restrictions.

Rubio's visit underscores a deepening U.S.-Israel alliance under President Donald Trump, who Netanyahu hailed as "the greatest friend Israel has ever had." Yet, it arrives against a backdrop of U.S. frustrations: Just a week ago, Trump publicly scolded Israel for airstrikes on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, a key U.S. ally hosting the largest American air base in the Middle East. Trump had assured reporters that Netanyahu "won't be hitting in Qatar again," while Qatar has lavished the administration with gestures like gifting a luxury plane. Rubio, however, showed no such reservations in Jerusalem, though he is scheduled to travel to Doha on Tuesday to "reaffirm America's full support" for Qatar's sovereignty—a phrase notably absent from his Israeli remarks.

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The secretary expressed skepticism about Qatari-brokered ceasefire talks, despite Trump's optimistic prediction last month of wrapping up the war in weeks. "As much as we may wish for a peaceful, diplomatic way to end it—and we'll continue to explore that—we also have to be prepared for the possibility that it's not going to happen," Rubio said. The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas's surprise assault killed 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians, per official tallies. Israel's response has devastated Gaza, with the health ministry—deemed reliable by the UN—reporting over 64,900 deaths, the vast majority civilians.

In a poignant private meeting, Rubio consoled families of hostages still held in Gaza. Of the 251 abducted during the October 7 raid, 47 remain captive, including 25 presumed dead by Israeli authorities. Advocacy from these families has intensified pressure on both governments for a deal, though progress stalls amid the escalating violence.

As Rubio's visit wraps up, it highlights the intricate U.S. balancing act: bolstering Israel against existential threats while managing alliances in the Gulf and navigating global pressure for Palestinian rights. With the Gaza death toll mounting and famine risks looming, the path to resolution appears as fraught as ever, testing the limits of diplomacy and military resolve.

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