Marco Rubio and Benjamin Netanyahu (Image/X@netanyahu)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday morning, beginning a two-day visit focused on the ongoing war in Gaza.Rubio was accompanied by his wife Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio. They were welcomed at Ben Gurion Airport by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and his wife Janet.The State Secretary is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Netanyahu at 10 am (local time) on Monday, the State Department said.Following the talks, the two leaders will deliver joint press statements in Jerusalem at 1.55 pm, as reported by Times of Israel.During his visit, Rubio will also meet with families of hostages still held by Hamas. Many of them have voiced concerns over Israel’s planned operation in Gaza City, fearing it could endanger their relatives.Before his departure, Rubio wrote on social media that his priorities included securing the return of hostages, ensuring humanitarian aid reaches civilians and addressing the threat posed by Hamas. “Hamas cannot continue to exist if peace in the region is the goal,” he said. Shortly after arriving, Rubio met one-on-one with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. The two later visited the Western Wall along with their spouses, where Netanyahu said they placed a note among the stones and offered a joint prayer for the safety of hostages and a special prayer honoring US President Donald Trump. “I think his visit here is a testament to the resilience and strength of the American-Israeli alliance, which is as durable and strong as the stones of the Western Wall that we just touched,” Netanyahu said. Israeli prime minister also thanked Rubio for his support, calling the alliance under Trump and Rubio “stronger than ever.” He said Israel’s gratitude extended not only to its people today but also to generations of Jews before them who had long hoped to rebuild their country with the support of friends like him, ABC News reported.”Under President Trump, Secretary Rubio and their entire team, this alliance has never been stronger, and we appreciate it very much,” Netanyahu said. According to the US State Department, Rubio’s visit is aimed at reaffirming America’s commitment to Israel’s security while addressing broader regional concerns. Discussions are expected to include Israel’s planned operation to seize Gaza City, where residents were recently ordered to evacuate.It added that Rubio will underscore that securing the hostages’ return remains a top priority.Meanwhile, Israeli forces destroyed at least 30 residential buildings in Gaza City and forced thousands of people from their homes, Palestinian officials said. Israel has said the operation is part of its declared aim to eliminate Hamas, which it calls a threat to its security. The city, where about a million Palestinians have been sheltering since the start of the conflict, is now under intensified bombardment as the military prepares for a ground offensive to seize control., news agency Reuters reported. Ahead of his visit, Rubio said Washington’s focus would be on efforts to secure the release of the 48 hostages still held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and on plans to rebuild the war-torn coastal enclave. Only 20 of the hostages are believed to be alive. “What’s happened has happened,” he said. “We’re going to meet with the Israeli leadership and talk about what the future holds.”
