Ahead of his Jerusalem visit, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed America’s “very strong” relationship with Israel, stressing President Trump’s demand for the immediate release of all 48 hostages and a decisive end to Hamas.
Speaking to reporters before departing for Israel, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio underlined Washington’s commitment to its closest Middle East ally and detailed President Trump’s top priorities:
- A swift end to the conflict
- The release of all 48 hostages — living and deceased — at once
- The complete dismantling of Hamas
“The President wants this conflict to end. He wants all the hostages out, all 48 of them, living and deceased,” Rubio said.
Concerns Over Qatar Strike
Rubio also addressed last week’s Israeli strike in Doha, Qatar, which targeted Hamas leaders but drew criticism from Trump for its execution.
“We’re concerned about the way it went down. We’ll talk about what impact it’s going to have on getting the hostages back, ending Hamas, and finishing this war,” Rubio noted.
While he avoided the term “leverage,” Rubio acknowledged U.S. influence over Israel due to the enduring partnership.
Gaza City & “Next Phase”
Pressed on the possibility of a major Israeli push into Gaza City, Rubio declined specifics, saying discussions in Jerusalem would center on “what comes next.”
“The President wants this finished with — meaning hostages released all at once, Hamas no longer a threat, and the next phase: rebuilding Gaza, providing security, and making sure Hamas or anything like it never returns.”
Settlements as Counterreaction
Rubio also commented on Israel’s recent move to recognize new communities in Judea and Samaria, framing it as a reaction to European and Canadian recognition efforts for a Palestinian state.
“We warned a lot of these countries that this is what might happen if they went ahead,” he said.
Message on X
On social media, Rubio reiterated his mission:
“On my way to Jerusalem. My focus will be on securing the return of hostages, ensuring humanitarian aid reaches civilians, and addressing the threat posed by Hamas. Hamas cannot continue to exist if peace in the region is the goal.”
