US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began his visit to Israel on September 14, after expressing the US administration's strong support for Israel in the fight against Hamas - the Palestinian group declared a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.
The visit of the top US diplomat comes after US President Donald Trump rebuked Israel for the unprecedented attack on Doha, Qatar earlier this week, when Israel targeted Hamas leaders.
It was the first time Israel had carried out an attack on US ally Qatar, an attack that has increased pressure on diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.
Before leaving for the Middle East, Rubio told reporters on Saturday that while Trump is "not happy" about the attack, it "will not change the nature of the relationship with the Israelis."
But he added that the US and Israel "will talk about" the impact of the attack on ceasefire efforts.
On Friday, Trump met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, while Rubio's visit comes before Arab and Muslim leaders meet in Doha on Monday to express solidarity with the Gulf state after the Israeli airstrike.
Israel's attack targeted Hamas leaders who were meeting to discuss a new ceasefire proposal presented by the United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended the operation, saying on Saturday that killing senior Hamas officials would eliminate the "main obstacle" to ending the war.
In Jerusalem, Rubio will visit the Western Wall with Netanyahu on Sunday, according to the Israeli prime minister's office.
His key meetings with officials, including Netanyahu, will take place on Monday, before the top US diplomat leaves Israel on Tuesday.
In recent days, Israel has intensified efforts to take control of Gaza City, the Palestinian territory's largest urban center, telling residents to evacuate and attacking high-rise buildings it says are used by Hamas.
According to the United Nations, Gaza City is home to about 1 million people. The UN has declared a state of famine in the city.
The war in Gaza began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing nearly 1.200 people and kidnapping 251 others. As a result of the Israeli retaliatory offensive, more than 64.000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry - figures considered reliable by the UN. /REL/
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