Qatar attack will mot impact US-Israel relations: USA

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Sunday (September 14) that Israel’s recent strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar will not alter Washington’s ties with Tel Aviv, though he warned the incident could complicate efforts to secure a cease-fire in Gaza, reports Anadolu Ajansi.

“Of course, we are not happy with this incident, nor is the president,” Rubio told reporters before departing for visits to Britain and Israel.

“But it will not change the nature of our relationship with Israel. What we need to discuss is how it may affect diplomatic efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Gaza,” he added.

The remarks came after Tuesday’s Israeli attack on a residential compound in Doha that killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer.

The group had reportedly been discussing a new US-backed cease-fire proposal at the time.

Since Israel launched its offensive on Gaza in October 2023, more than 64,000 people have been killed, according to local authorities.

Qatar, alongside the US and Egypt, has been serving as a key mediator in ongoing efforts to halt the conflict.