US Secretary: Qatar Only Nation Capable of Mediating Gaza Talks

Ahead of his scheduled visit to Doha on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that Qatar remains the only country capable of mediating negotiations on the Gaza conflict.

Speaking to reporters as he departed Tel Aviv, Rubio said: “It is clear that Qatar must decide whether it wants to take on this role after last week’s events, but we want them to know that if there is one nation in the world that can help end this through negotiations, it is Qatar.”

He further revealed that Washington is close to finalizing an “enhanced defense cooperation agreement” with the Gulf state.

Warning to Hamas

Rubio also issued a stern warning to Hamas, stressing that the group faces a “very short deadline” to accept a ceasefire deal. “We have a very limited timeframe within which an agreement on Gaza can be reached,” he said.

The Secretary of State’s comments come despite his previous skepticism about resolving the war through diplomacy. In a Fox News interview on Monday, he argued that the conflict could only end if all hostages were released and Hamas ceased to exist as an armed force.

“In an ideal world, this would happen through a diplomatic agreement—Hamas would disarm, dissolve itself, and immediately release all hostages, including the remains of those killed,” Rubio noted. “But since that has not been achieved, the alternative is a military solution.”

Trump Clarifies Israel Strikes

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump reiterated on Monday that he was not informed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of last week’s Israeli airstrikes in Doha, which targeted Hamas leaders as they discussed the latest US ceasefire proposal. Trump told reporters that Israel had assured him no further strikes would be carried out on the Qatari capital.

Rising Tensions

Rubio’s visit to Tel Aviv, followed by his trip to Doha, comes amid escalating regional tensions after the unexpected Israeli attack on Qatar’s capital last Tuesday. Doha has been mediating between Hamas and Israel for nearly two years in efforts to broker a ceasefire and facilitate prisoner exchanges.

The strike on Qatari soil drew widespread condemnation from both Arab and international leaders, underscoring the volatile environment in which Rubio seeks to revive diplomatic efforts.