US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio has asserted that international efforts to recognise the Palestinian state “emboldens [Hamas]” and makes it harder to end the war.
He noted that the US has expressed this view to its allies, which includes the UK, France and Canada.
He warned that if Hamas sees it is getting support globally, it can walk away from deals it has “tacitly agreed to” and said that it could put the release of Israeli hostages at risk.
Rubio described Hamas as “barbaric animals” in relation to 7 October and said, “This is where this all began.”
Speaking at a news conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu after the two held further talks, Rubio stated that Washington would provide “unwavering support” to Israel in achieving its goals in Gaza as he called for the eradication of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group.
The two officials had a three-hour meeting at Netanyahu’s west Jerusalem office today, September 15, 2025.
It came a day after Rubio and Netanyahuvisited the Western Wall along with US Envoy, Mike Huckabee and praised strong bilateral relations.
Also, Rubio told reporters that the people of Gaza cannot live in peace until “Hamas is eliminated” and that it remains an objective.
He iterated that “whatever happens or has happened,” all Israeli hostages must be returned and that Hamas must be eliminated.
He reaffirmed the US and President Donald Trump’s “unwavering commitment” as an ally of Israel.
Additionally, Rubio expressed belief that Hamas can be disarmed. He said that the US is “not counting on” the military group “laying down its weapons” voluntarily, saying that it may require a “concise military operation” to eliminate Hamas.
Rubio stated that the US has strong relationships with its Gulf allies. He said that the threat of Iran extends beyond the Gulf and into Europe, given the potential range of the missiles that the US believes Iran is developing.
A Message Of US Solidarity With Israel
On his part, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel and the US will continue to act together to protect the two countries. “Rubio’s visit is a clear message that America stands with Israel in face of terror,” Netanyahu said.
Also, Netanyahu compared the attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar to the American attack on Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
He said that Israel is not “bringing down towers to intimidate people,” claiming that the towers “serve Hamas” and that they want to use civilians as human shields.
He added that the world’s media “should get their facts right” but does not answer the actual question, which was whether the operation killed any Hamas leaders.
It comes as Arab leaders hold a summit in a show of support for Qatar after Israel attempted to kill Hamas leaders with an airstrike on the capital Doha last week.
Netanyahu, who relies on the US for weapons and diplomatic cover to continue his assault on Gaza, has accused Qatar of harbouring terrorists and has suggested he reserved the right to continue attacks in the future.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Human Rights Council announced that it will host an urgent debate on Tuesday regarding Israel’s “recent military aggression” in Qatar.
The council said that it received two official requests for the debate, one from Pakistan on behalf of member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the other from Kuwait on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The meeting will mark the council’s 10th urgent debate since its creation in 2006.
Israel has repeatedly dismissed the findings and resolutions of the council on Israeli abuses, including a resolution last year that urged all states to cease selling or transferring arms to Israel given the carnage in Gaza. Both Israel and USboycotted the UN councilearlier this year.
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