Rubio pushes mediation in Qatar as Israel launches Gaza City assault
The top US diplomat arrived in Doha to meet with Qatari leaders as the country reels from the recent Israeli strike on its soil.
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Qatar Tuesday to reassure its leaders of US support, nearly a week after Israel launched an unprecedented strike on Hamas officials hosted by the Gulf ally.
Rubio arrived in Doha as Israel began its ground offensive into Gaza City, a long-planned assault that analysts warn could cause more Palestinian casualties and endanger Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The offensive began the same day an independent inquiry commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council concluded Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, a charge Israel rejects.
Speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv, Rubio warned that “time is running out” to reach an agreement to end the nearly two-year war.
“We don’t have months anymore, and we probably have days and maybe a few weeks,” the top US diplomat said before departing for the Qatari capital.
