Rubio Affirms U.S. Backing For Israel’s Gaza Offensive

…Israeli Airstrikes Kill 17 In Gaza – Official

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed America’s “unwavering support” for Israel during a high-profile visit to Jerusalem on Monday, backing its military objectives in Gaza and calling for the total elimination of Hamas.

Speaking in a Press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rubio emphasised that peace in the region cannot begin until Hamas is “no longer a threat.”

“The people of Gaza deserve a better future, but that future can’t start until Hamas is dismantled. You can count on our unwavering support and commitment to see this through,” Rubio said.

He added that President Donald Trump is determined to bring the war in Gaza to a definitive end.

Netanyahu welcomed Rubio’s visit as a “clear message” of American solidarity, calling Trump “the greatest friend Israel has ever had.”

Rubio also criticised the recent move by European nations to recognise a Palestinian state, calling them “symbolic” and counterproductive.

“These gestures do not bring peace closer. They embolden Hamas and other extremist factions, complicating efforts on the ground,” Rubio said.

During his trip, Rubio was briefed on Israel’s plans to take full control of Gaza City, the largest urban centre in the region, and was also expected to discuss Israeli intentions regarding the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.

Meanwhile, the Gaza civil defence agency reported that Israeli airstrikes on Monday killed 17 people, most of them in Gaza City.

The war, now approaching its second year, was triggered by the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on southern Israel, which killed 1,219 people.

Since then, Israel’s retaliatory campaign has left more than 64,800 dead in Gaza, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, numbers the United Nations continues to cite as credible despite Israeli objections.

Rubio’s visit came just days after a controversial Israeli strike in Qatar, which targeted Hamas leaders meeting to discuss a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal.

The Trump administration was reportedly caught off guard by the timing of the strike, though Trump has publicly maintained that Qatar remains a key ally.

“We have to be careful, Qatar is a very important partner in the region — and so is Israel. We must act wisely,” Trump said on Sunday.

Qatar, alongside Egypt and the U.S., has played a central role in mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas.

Still, the U.S. under Trump has refused to join European powers in calling for a halt to Israel’s military campaign, citing concerns that an early ceasefire could allow Hamas to regroup.

Rubio began his trip with a symbolic visit to the Western Wall on Sunday, accompanied by Netanyahu.

He is also expected to attend the inauguration of a controversial archaeological tunnel project within the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan, designed to connect tourist routes directly to Jewish holy sites.

Rubio Affirms U.S. Backing For Israel’s Gaza Offensive is first published on The Whistler Newspaper