US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday appreciated Qatar’s mediation efforts in the Gaza war, a week after Israeli warplanes struck Hamas leaders in the country’s capital.
Rubio, who was pessimistic about a ceasefire deal, said that the US hopes that Qatar’s role is important, as it could uniquely help in solving the ongoing crisis. Rubio, while leaving Israel, said, “We’re going to ask Qatar to continue to do what they’ve done, and we appreciate it very much, and that is, play a constructive role in trying to bring this to an end.”
He said if there is any country that helps secure a ceasefire in Gaza, it is Qatar. Though Rubio did not condemn Israeli actions in Doha. President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “won’t be hitting” Qatar again.
This comes after Qatar summoned an emergency Arab League summit on Monday, in which several nations, including Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, condemned the Israeli attacks and demanded an immediate action plan against the Israeli regime. While Turkey and Pakistan said the Muslim world has shown its overwhelming support for Qatar, Iran, Egypt and Saudi Arabia warned Israel that there will be severe consequences in case it attempts another attack.
Egypt and Iran, in particular, warned that the presence of Muslim nations in Doha was not for mere attendance and solidarity but aimed at discussing the next move, as both nations pitched for a “NATO”-style army in the Middle East, especially against Israel.
Also Read: US Secretary Rubio in Israel amid Gaza tensions
Qatar is home to the largest US air base in the Middle East and is the forward base of Central Command, the US military command responsible for the region. Netanyahu is alleged to be involved in a corruption scandal, which has links to the famous “QatarGate” scandal.
He said his government assumes “full responsibility” for the attack on Doha because we believe that terrorists should not be given a haven, and the people who planned the worst massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust cannot have immunity.”
Meanwhile, as Rubio winds up his multi-nation Middle East tour, the war in Gaza continues to batter civilians. The death toll has now reached 64,900, with thousands buried under the rubble.
Also Read: Arab-China summit: Xi promises more aid for Gaza
Follow us
