US Secretary of State Rubio Reaffirms Support for Israel, Calls for Hamas Elimination

TDT | Tel Aviv

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged Washington’s “unwavering support” for Israel during his visit to the country on Monday, underscoring the Biden administration’s alignment with Israel in the ongoing Gaza war and reiterating calls for Hamas’s eradication.

Standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rubio said: “The people of Gaza deserve a better future, but that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated. You can count on our unwavering support and commitment to see this come to fruition.”

Netanyahu welcomed Rubio’s remarks, describing the visit as a “clear message” of U.S. solidarity with Israel. He also praised President Donald Trump’s stance, calling him “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had.”

Rubio criticised Western efforts to recognise a Palestinian state, warning that such moves “embolden Hamas” and remain largely symbolic. He added that his talks with Netanyahu would cover Israeli plans to seize Gaza City, as well as discussions on annexing parts of the occupied West Bank in an effort to block the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The Secretary of State also highlighted Washington’s position that the conflict must conclude with the release of hostages and the dismantling of Hamas as a threat. “President Trump wants this war to be finished with,” Rubio noted.

Tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv have been strained after an Israeli strike in Qatar last week targeted Hamas leaders who were in discussions over a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal. Netanyahu defended the operation, stating: “We sent a message to terrorists: you can run but you cannot hide. The raid didn’t fail. It had one central message.”

Meanwhile, air strikes on Gaza on Monday killed 17 people, most of them in Gaza City, according to Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the Gaza civil defence agency. Due to media restrictions and access challenges, these figures could not be independently verified.