Little daylight between US and Israel evident as Rubio and Netanyahu meet

By MATTHEW LEE and SAMY MAGDY, Related Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Monday that Hamas have to be eradicated and all hostages launched for there to be peace in Gaza, setting apart requires an interim ceasefire in favor of an instantaneous finish to the battle.

Rubio had come to Israel looking for solutions from Netanyahu about how Israel supposed to proceed in Gaza and assess curiosity in Qatar retaining a mediating function after Israel attacked Hamas leaders in Doha. The 2 mentioned after their talks that the one method to peace is the entire destruction of Hamas and the return of all hostages dwelling and useless.

“So long as they’re round, there shall be no peace on this area as a result of they don’t seem to be brokers of peace. They’re brokers of barbarism,” Rubio mentioned of Hamas.

The feedback got here as Israel on Monday continued assaults on Gaza Metropolis, which it goals to take over saying it’s Hamas’ final stronghold. Israel ordered the evacuation of one other high-rise constructing, one of many tallest in Gaza Metropolis. In current days the Israel navy destroyed a number of high-rises, accusing Hamas of placing surveillance tools in them.

Airstrikes in a single day killed at the least 12 folks, together with youngsters, mentioned well being officers at Shifa Hospital, the place the our bodies have been introduced.

Rubio’s go to proceeded regardless of U.S. President Donald Trump’s anger at Netanyahu over the Israeli strike in Doha, which he mentioned the US wasn’t notified of beforehand. The Doha assault, which killed at the least six folks, additionally seems to have ended makes an attempt to safe an Israel-Hamas ceasefire and the discharge of hostages.

Regardless of feedback by Trump that he wasn’t “thrilled” after Israel’s strike, there gave the impression to be little daylight between the U.S. and Israel after Rubio and Netanyahu met. “Your presence right here in Israel immediately is a transparent message that America stands with Israel. You stand with us within the face of terror,” mentioned Netanyahu.

When requested by a reporter about how the U.S. will deal with Israel’s assault in Doha, Rubio didn’t immediately reply, saying the U.S. was targeted on what occurs subsequent and that it’ll proceed to encourage Qatar to play a task within the talks.

Rubio downplayed U.S. considerations about Israel’s newest operations in Gaza Metropolis, repeating a number of instances that Trump is decided to see the battle come to an finish and that requires the destruction of Hamas.

And Netanyahu gave no indication that Israel would again down from its strikes on high-rise and different buildings in Gaza Metropolis the place it says Hamas fighters are hiding.

Considerations over a recognition of a Palestinian state

One among Rubio’s causes for visiting Jerusalem now was to indicate assist for Israel because it expects to face rising worldwide condemnation of the conflict on the upcoming United Nations Normal Meeting session, at which numerous European nations and Canada have mentioned they intend to acknowledge a Palestinian state over fervent U.S. and Israeli objections.

Rubio mentioned the statehood recognition is definitely counterproductive to peace efforts and instructed that such proclamations are self-serving.

“They’ve actually no influence in any way in bringing about bringing us any nearer to a Palestinian state. The one influence they really have is it makes Hamas really feel extra emboldened,” he mentioned. “It’s really served as an obstacle to peace.”

Netanyahu additionally strongly opposes the popularity of a Palestinian state.

Israel presses forward with offensive in Gaza Metropolis

One of many in a single day strikes hit a tent with a household in western Gaza Metropolis, killing seven folks, mentioned hospital employees. A separate strike hit two neighboring homes.