Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Amid growing international criticism over Israel’s military campaign in northern Gaza and days before a pivotal United Nations General Assembly session, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday to reaffirm Washington’s support for its closest Middle Eastern ally. The visit comes at a moment of intense diplomatic friction, following an unprecedented Israeli airstrike on Doha, Qatar, a key American partner which targeted senior Hamas figures and drew rare disapproval from President Donald Trump.
Fallout From the Doha Strike
The Israeli strike on a residential location in the Qatari capital, which occurred while Qatar was hosting ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, has shaken diplomatic norms and triggered international outrage. Although Hamas confirmed that its lead negotiator, Khalil Al-Hayya, survived the attack, the implications were far-reaching.
Qatar, a major player in indirect negotiations and one of Washington’s most important regional allies, labeled the strike an act of “state terrorism” and a violation of international law. The attack not only risked derailing already fragile ceasefire talks but also placed U.S. mediation efforts under strain, given Qatar’s critical role in brokering dialogue between the warring parties.
Diplomatic Pressure and the UN General Assembly
Rubio’s visit comes amid rising diplomatic pressure on Israel, particularly from European nations. France, Britain, and others are reportedly preparing to formally recognize a Palestinian state in an upcoming session of the UN General Assembly. Such a move is fiercely opposed by both Israel and the United States, which argue that recognition should come through direct negotiations rather than unilateral international action.
In a symbolic gesture, Rubio visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Sunday, with core political meetings, including one with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, scheduled for Monday.
Washington’s Stance: Unwavering Support, Despite Tensions
Speaking before his departure, Rubio downplayed the significance of Trump’s disapproval of the Israeli strike on Doha. “The president wasn’t happy with what happened, and neither were we — but that doesn’t change our unwavering commitment to Israel’s security,” Rubio said. He acknowledged that the incident would be discussed in private meetings, especially in light of its impact on ceasefire efforts.
Trump, who had met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani just days prior in Washington, voiced concern over the attack, particularly given its timing just before a major Arab-Islamic summit in Doha that is expected to condemn the Israeli action.
A Region in Flux: Qatar’s Role and Netanyahu’s Justification
Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, has been a cornerstone of ongoing mediation efforts aimed at halting the conflict and facilitating prisoner exchanges. Despite the setback, Doha continues to host back-channel discussions and maintains communication lines with both sides.
For his part, Netanyahu defended the targeting of Hamas leaders, arguing that neutralizing the group’s leadership is a “necessary step” toward releasing Israeli hostages and ending the war. “Removing them eliminates the primary obstacle to peace,” he said in remarks on Saturday.
Gaza Offensive Escalates
Rubio’s visit also coincides with a renewed Israeli push to capture Gaza City, the symbolic and strategic center of the enclave. The Israeli military has issued fresh evacuation orders for residents, claiming it seeks to minimize civilian casualties. However, Gaza’s civil defense forces estimate that only 68,000 people have fled south, far fewer than the Israeli claim of over 250,000.
Humanitarian groups and UN agencies warn that the operation could worsen an already catastrophic crisis. As of last month, the UN had officially declared a famine in Gaza. With over one million residents previously living in and around Gaza City, fears of mass casualties and disease outbreaks are mounting.
Europe’s Call for Ceasefire and Diplomatic Divides
On Friday, Germany, France, and Britain issued a joint statement urging Israel to implement an immediate ceasefire in Gaza City, reflecting a deepening rift between Western allies over how to resolve the conflict. The UN General Assembly also passed a resolution aimed at reviving the two-state solution notably without recognizing Hamas’s role or legitimacy.
Washington, however, remains firm in its opposition to any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that such a move “would reward Hamas” and undermine efforts to isolate the militant group.
What Rubio’s Visit Signals
Secretary Rubio’s presence in Israel sends a clear message that, despite recent tensions and high-profile criticisms, the U.S. remains deeply committed to its alliance with Israel. The timing of the visit following the controversial Doha strike and just before a UN session that could mark a diplomatic shift on the Palestinian issue underscores the administration’s intent to counterbalance mounting pressure on Israel.
Rubio is expected to use his meetings with Israeli officials to reinforce strategic coordination, reassure Israeli leadership of continued U.S. military and diplomatic backing, and discuss the broader regional fallout particularly the need to prevent the Gaza conflict from widening or further alienating key U.S. allies like Qatar.
A High-Stakes Week Ahead
As the Arab-Islamic summit opens in Doha and the UN General Assembly prepares for consequential votes, Rubio’s visit marks a critical moment in U.S. foreign policy. With diplomatic alignments shifting and tensions flaring on multiple fronts, Washington faces the delicate task of reaffirming support for Israel while managing the repercussions of actions that are testing even its closest partnerships in the region.
How the U.S. navigates the days ahead, both within the UN and in bilateral talks with allies like Qatar may shape the trajectory of Middle Eastern diplomacy for years to come.
