Rubio Pledges “Unwavering Support” for Israel During Gaza Visit, Criticizes Hamas

TDT | Manama

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s support for Israel on Monday during a visit to the country, calling for the eradication of Hamas and emphasizing that the people of Gaza “deserve a better future.” Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rubio said, “You can count on our unwavering support and commitment to see this come to fruition.”

Netanyahu described Rubio’s visit as a “clear message” of US solidarity with Israel and praised President Donald Trump as the “greatest friend that Israel has ever had.” Rubio also criticized Western efforts to recognize a Palestinian state, saying such measures merely “embolden” Hamas.

Rubio’s visit comes amid heightened tensions in Gaza, where Israeli air strikes continue to cause civilian casualties. According to Gaza’s health ministry, 17 more people were killed on Monday, most in Gaza City. The ongoing conflict was triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has resulted in more than 64,000 deaths, primarily among Gaza’s civilian population.

As part of his visit, Rubio joined Netanyahu at the Western Wall, one of Judaism’s holiest sites, underscoring his support for Jerusalem as Israel’s “eternal capital.” Rubio is also expected to attend the inauguration of a tunnel beneath the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan, a controversial project that has raised concerns among local residents about the displacement of Palestinians and potential damage to their homes.

Despite criticism from Palestinian representatives, Rubio defended the site as “one of the most important archaeological sites in the world,” signaling US backing for Israel’s sovereignty over contested areas.

The visit highlights the strengthened US-Israel alliance, even as mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States continue amid ongoing violence in Gaza.