The US is “not joyful” about Israeli strikes focusing on Hamas in Qatar, however the assault won’t change Washington’s allied standing with Israel, Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned Saturday as he departed for the area.
Tuesday’s air strikes — the primary by Israel towards US ally Qatar — have rocked the area and put enormous pressure on diplomatic efforts to carry a couple of truce in war-ravaged Gaza.
“What’s occurred has occurred. Clearly, we weren’t joyful about it, the president was not joyful about it,” Rubio advised reporters shortly earlier than departing Washington for discussions with officers in Israel.
“It isn’t going to alter the character of our relationship with the Israelis, however we’re going to have to speak about it — primarily, what influence does this have” on the truce efforts, Rubio added.
“We have to transfer ahead and determine what comes subsequent, as a result of on the finish of the day, when all is alleged and achieved, there may be nonetheless a bunch referred to as Hamas, which is an evil group.”
Israel focused Hamas leaders gathering in Qatar to debate a brand new ceasefire proposal put ahead by US President Donald Trump’s administration.
Trump has referred to as Israel’s assault unlucky, chided Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and mentioned the USA discovered concerning the assault too late to cease it.
In addressing Rubio’s go to, the State Division this week mentioned solely that the highest US diplomat would talk about “operational targets and aims” with Israel and present “the US dedication to Israeli safety.”
Rubio additionally confirmed he would participate within the inauguration of a brand new tunnel in Jerusalem’s Previous Metropolis for guests approaching the Temple Mount, the holiest web site for Jews, which can also be sacred for Muslims because the Al-Aqsa compound.
“Town of David is separate. I intend to go to that,” Rubio mentioned.
The secretary of state’s Israel journey is timed to happen barely per week earlier than France leads a United Nations summit on September 22 at which a lot of Western international locations plan to acknowledge a Palestinian state centered across the West Financial institution.
France, exasperated over Israel’s large offensive in Gaza, has rejected US and Israeli criticism and says there have to be a brand new path for the Palestinians.