Rubio to visit Israel, UK amid tensions over Israeli strike on Qatar

WASHINGTON

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Israel and the UK on Sept. 13-18, the State Department announced Friday, in a visit that comes as tensions rise following Israel’s strike on Qatar.

“While in Israel, the Secretary will convey America’s priorities in the Israel-Hamas conflict and broader issues concerning Middle Eastern security, reaffirming U.S. commitment to Israeli security,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

Rubio will “emphasize our shared goals: ensuring Hamas never rules over Gaza again and bringing all the hostages home,” the statement added.

The US secretary of state will also meet with the families of hostages.

In London, Rubio is scheduled to meet UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss cooperation on global challenges, including ending the Russia-Ukraine war, preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, securing a Gaza ceasefire, and competing China, the statement said.

The trip follows Trump’s remarks that he feels “very badly” about Israel’s airstrike on Hamas political leaders in Doha earlier this week. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he hoped the attack “won’t affect” the Gaza ceasefire and hostage negotiations mediated by Qatar, which, along with the US and Egypt, has been central to mediation efforts.

Israel has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians in a brutal offensive in Gaza following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.