Netanyahu and Rubio Discuss Israel's Recent Strike in Qatar and Gaza Operations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a press conference in Jerusalem to discuss Israel's recent airstrike in Qatar and ongoing military operations in Gaza.

Netanyahu acknowledged that the airstrike in Doha did not eliminate Hamas leaders but emphasized its strategic message: "It didn't fail, because it had one central message and we considered it before we launched it, and that is, you can hide, you can run, but we'll get you." He stressed that the decision was made independently by Israel: "We assume full responsibility. We did it on our own. Period."

The strike, which resulted in the deaths of five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, drew criticism from Arab nations and strained relations with Qatar, a key U.S. ally. An emergency summit in Doha condemned the attack, warning it could destabilize the region.

President Donald Trump expressed concern over the strike, advising Israel to be "very, very careful" with Qatar, which he described as a "great ally." Despite this, Rubio and Netanyahu presented a united front, focusing on the goal of eliminating Hamas and securing the release of hostages. Rubio stated, "We are focused on what happens next."

Netanyahu criticized those condemning Israel's actions, referencing UN Resolution 1373, which prohibits harboring terrorists. He highlighted the U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks as a precedent for targeting terrorist havens.

Rubio is scheduled to visit Qatar following his meetings in Israel. His visit coincides with Israel's intensified military operations in Gaza City, where air and ground strikes have led to significant casualties and displacement. The Israeli Defense Forces have instructed residents to evacuate ahead of a major offensive against Hamas.

The discussions between Netanyahu and Rubio underscore the complexities of regional politics and the challenges in addressing the threat posed by Hamas while maintaining diplomatic relations with key allies.