Rubio seeks clarity on Gaza strategy while signaling U.S.-Israel unity

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday as the Israeli military expanded strikes in northern Gaza, demolishing multiple high-rise buildings and leaving at least 13 Palestinians dead, according to local hospitals. Rubio said he will press Israeli leaders on their plan for Gaza following last week’s strike in Doha that targeted Hamas figures and disrupted ceasefire and hostage talks. His two-day visit also underscores Washington’s backing for a key ally as the United Nations prepares a contentious debate on recognition of a Palestinian state, a move Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes.

Balancing allies after the Qatar strike

Rubio’s trip went ahead amid President Donald Trump’s anger over not being notified in advance of the Israeli operation in Qatar. On Friday, Trump and Rubio met with Qatar’s prime minister to discuss the fallout, signaling an attempt to preserve ties with both Israel and Qatar despite international criticism. In Jerusalem on Sunday, Netanyahu and Rubio, joined by their spouses and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee and his wife, toured the Western Wall tunnels. Netanyahu said Rubio’s presence was a testament to the strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance.

Expanded operations and rising civilian toll

Gaza hospitals reported Israeli strikes on a vehicle near Shifa hospital, a roundabout in Gaza City, and a tent in Deir al-Balah that killed six members of one family. As Israeli forces widened operations in Gaza City, residents said the Kauther tower in the Rimal neighborhood was flattened after evacuation warnings were posted online. The military said Hamas had positioned observation posts and intelligence-gathering sites and that militants were preparing to strike Israeli troops. A Gaza resident accused Israel of genocide, a charge Israeli officials firmly reject. The war began when Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and abducted 251 on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel says 48 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed alive. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports at least 64,871 Palestinians killed, without distinguishing civilians from combatants.

Humanitarian strain and limited relief

Gaza’s health ministry reported two more adult deaths linked to malnutrition in the past day, bringing the total reported since late June to 277 adults, alongside 145 children since the war began. Israel’s aid coordinator said more than 1,200 trucks, primarily with food, entered Gaza over the past week, but aid groups say deliveries remain far below need and are often looted before reaching the most vulnerable. Repairs to one of three Israeli water lines have increased supply to 14,000 cubic meters per day, yet much of Gaza still struggles for reliable access in a second summer of war.

What Washington and allies will watch

With Arab and Islamic foreign ministers meeting in Doha and a U.N. debate ahead, Washington aims to preserve working channels with both Israel and Qatar, press for transparency on military objectives and civilian safeguards, and push for a path to release the remaining hostages. The United States and its partners will look for steps that reduce regional escalation and sustain humanitarian access, while resisting diplomatic moves that harden positions or reward violent spoilers. Hamas bears responsibility for the Oct. 7 attacks, yet alleviating civilian suffering is vital to any durable stability and to the credibility of Western-led diplomacy.