JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday amid escalating military actions by Israel against northern Gaza. These actions included the destruction of a high-rise building and the reported deaths of at least 12 Palestinians in a series of strikes.
Prior to his visit, Rubio expressed his intention to seek clarity from Israeli officials regarding the future of Gaza, particularly in light of Israel’s recent operations against Hamas operatives in Qatar. The strike in Qatar disrupted attempts to mediate a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Rubio's two-day visit emphasizes U.S. support for Israel, especially as the United Nations prepares for a heated discussion on the commitment to establishing a Palestinian state, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently opposes.
This diplomatic engagement comes despite rising tensions between President Donald Trump and Netanyahu over the Israeli strike against Hamas leaders in Doha. Trump expressed his displeasure, noting that the U.S. was not informed of the operation beforehand. On Friday, Rubio and Trump met with Qatar’s Prime Minister to address the implications of the Israeli attack, showcasing the Trump administration’s efforts to manage relationships with critical allies in the Middle East.
The Israeli assault in Doha has effectively derailed ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as the potential release of hostages before the upcoming U.N. General Assembly session focused on the Gaza conflict.
On the day of Rubio's arrival, Israeli airstrikes reportedly resulted in at least 13 Palestinian deaths and numerous injuries across Gaza, according to reports from local hospitals. These strikes targeted various locations, including a vehicle near Shifa hospital and a tent in Deir al-Balah, which killed six members of the same family, including two parents and their three children.
The Israeli military carried out a significant airstrike, demolishing a high-rise residential building, Kauther Tower, in the Rimal neighborhood shortly after issuing an evacuation order. Residents and local witnesses condemned the action, asserting that the military's operations amount to destructive measures against the people of Gaza.
Israeli officials have categorically denied allegations of genocide regarding their military operations in Gaza. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis has escalated, with reports of two Palestinian adults succumbing to malnutrition and starvation, bringing the total death toll from malnutrition-related causes to 277 since late June. Furthermore, the Gaza Health Ministry has reported that 145 children have died from similar causes since the onset of the war in October 2023.
The conflict intensified when Hamas militants launched an incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to the abduction of 251 individuals and the death of approximately 1,200 people, predominantly civilians. Currently, there are still 48 hostages held in Gaza, with Israeli officials believing that 20 of them are still alive.
As a consequence of Israel’s military operations, the death toll in Gaza has reportedly surpassed 64,803, according to local health authorities, although they did not specify the number of casualties who were civilians versus combatants. The health ministry also indicated that approximately half of the reported fatalities were women and children. The ongoing violence has displaced around 90% of the two million residents of Gaza, leading to widespread destruction in major urban areas.
Magdy reported from Cairo, with contributions from AP writer Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Matthew Lee and Samy Magdy, The Associated Press
