Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Jerusalem for a high-level meeting focused on the war in Gaza, Iran’s growing aggression, and fallout from Israel’s recent strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar.
The strike, which targeted Hamas’s top terror commanders, has drawn criticism from Qatar and Arab states, despite the fact that Hamas is responsible for the October 7, 2023 massacre of over 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 251 hostages. Instead of condemning Hamas’s barbarity, Qatar and its allies accuse Israel of “state terrorism” while continuing to host and shelter Hamas leadership in luxury.
Former President Donald Trump urged Netanyahu to “be careful” regarding Qatar but also affirmed that Hamas “must be eliminated.” His comments highlight the tightrope US leaders walk between supporting Israel’s right to self-defense and appeasing a Gulf ally that bankrolls terror under the guise of diplomacy.
Reports in Israeli media revealed internal debate among security chiefs over timing. Mossad director David Barnea and IDF generals feared the strike might interrupt hostage negotiations, while Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz saw a rare opportunity to strike Hamas leadership directly. Ultimately, the government prioritized protecting Israel’s citizens and sending a clear message that Hamas leaders cannot hide — not even in Doha.
As Arab states prepare an emergency summit denouncing Israel, Netanyahu will also address US state legislators at the “Fifty States, One Israel” event. His message is clear: Israel will never bow to pressure from terror sponsors or international critics. The Jewish state is committed to defeating Hamas, defending its people, and securing its future — no matter how unpopular that truth is in Doha or Brussels.
