Rubio called on Qatar to continue its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, saying, "There is a very short window of opportunity to reach an agreement."
He added, "If there is a country in the world capable of helping mediate, it is Qatar. They are the ones who can do it."
Rubio concluded his remarks by adding, "We have a close partnership with the Qataris. In fact, we have an enhanced defense cooperation agreement that we're working on, and we're about to put the finishing touches on it."
This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he would not rule out further attacks against Hamas leaders "wherever they may be," coinciding with an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit held yesterday, Monday, in the wake of the recent Israeli attack on Qatar.
Last Tuesday, the Israeli occupation army launched an airstrike on the Hamas leadership in Doha. Qatar condemned the attack, reiterating its right to respond to the attack, which killed a member of the Qatari internal security forces.
Editor's Picks
The Israeli occupation threatens to attack the port of Hodeidah in Yemen within hours.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Israel's attack on Qatar is a flagrant violation of international law
A UN investigation committee confirms that Israel committed genocide in the Gaza Strip and calls on the international community to take action.
16 countries, including Türkiye, announce their support for the "Global Steadfastness Flotilla" heading to Gaza and warn against any attack on it.
Hamas announced that its negotiating delegation, led by its head in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, survived an assassination attempt. The head of Hamas's office, Jihad Labad, his son, Humam al-Hayya, and three bodyguards were killed.
The Israeli aggression against Qatar's sovereignty sparked Arab and international condemnation, with calls for deterring Tel Aviv to halt its attacks that violate international law.
The attack on Qatar came despite its mediation role, alongside Egypt and with US participation, in indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel to reach a prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement.
With this attack, Israel expanded its aggression in the region. It launched an attack against Iran last June, has been perpetrating ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip for nearly two years, and has been conducting aggression in the occupied West Bank. It has also been carrying out airstrikes on Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.
