Senator Rubio commits to steadfast backing of Israel's objectives in the ongoing conflict in Gaza
Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, recently visited Israel, where he attended the inauguration of a tunnel for religious tourists in Silwan. The visit came amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza, sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Rubio's speech during his visit was focused on the Gaza conflict. He mentioned countries that once had plans to recognize a Palestinian state, indirectly pointing to Qatar, which maintains informal ties with Israel and is seen as a possible mediator. Rubio called for the eradication of Hamas and pledged the U.S.'s 'unwavering support' to Israel in the war.
The tunnel project in Silwan has stirred fears among Palestinian residents that it could further dilute their presence. Fakhri Abu Diab, a community spokesman in Silwan, criticized the United States for ignoring Palestinian history.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli air strikes on Monday killed 17 people, all but one in Gaza City. According to figures from the health ministry, Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has resulted in the death of at least 64,871 people, mostly civilians. Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas make it difficult to independently verify the details provided by the civil defense agency or the Israeli military.
In a show of support, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, praised President Donald Trump for his backing and called him the 'greatest friend that Israel has ever had.' Netanyahu also stated that the Israel-U.S. alliance has 'never been stronger.'
Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, has led mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas. Qatar, home to the largest U.S. air base in the region, has been actively courting President Trump. Trump continues to voice support for Qatar.
However, Rubio expressed concern about plans by Western nations to recognize a Palestinian state, stating that such plans embolden Hamas. This stance is likely to impact future diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza and addressing the concerns of Palestinian residents in Silwan and other contested areas.
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