US Backs "Constructive Role" By Qatar In Mediating In Gaza: Rubio To Israel
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Israel on Monday that the United States backed the "constructive role" by Qatar in mediating in Gaza, after an Israeli strike on the Gulf state against Hamas.
- Date & Time:
- |
- Views: 34
- |
- From: India News Bull
During a Monday meeting with Israel, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed American support for Qatar's "constructive role" in Gaza mediation efforts, following Israel's strike against Hamas in the Gulf state.
Both President Donald Trump and Secretary Rubio have previously voiced opposition to last week's Israeli attack on Qatar, which hosts the Middle East's largest US air base.
When questioned about his conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rubio stated, "We are focused on what happens now, what happens next, what role can Qatar play possibly in reaching an outcome" to end the conflict in Gaza.
"We're going to continue to encourage Qatar to play a constructive role in that regard," Rubio explained during a joint press conference with Netanyahu.
Netanyahu defended Israel's military action against Hamas, the group responsible for the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
"We assume full responsibility for it because we believe that terrorists should not be given a haven and the people who planned the worst massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust cannot have immunity," Netanyahu declared.
The Prime Minister drew parallels between Israel's strike and America's "very bold" military responses after September 11, 2001, including the war against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and the 2011 raid in Pakistan that eliminated Osama bin Laden.
"Those countries that are condemning Israel today did not come and say, well, what a terrible thing was done, the sovereignty of Pakistan was violated, the sovereignty of Afghanistan was violated," Netanyahu remarked.
"You don't have such a sovereignty when you are effectively giving a base to terrorists," he added.
Prior to the October 7 attack, reports suggest that both Israel and the United States had quietly encouraged Qatar's involvement, including its transfer of millions of dollars to Hamas, hoping to maintain stability in Gaza.
Both nations also viewed Qatar, with its strong relationship with Washington, as a preferable location for monitoring Hamas and preventing the militants from establishing bases in Iran, whose clerical regime openly supports the group.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)