Washington: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Israel. The conversation also centered on the situation in Gaza and the status of Israeli hostages held there, according to the State Department.
This marked Rubio’s first communication with Israel since Republican President Donald Trump’s administration took office on Monday. Both Trump and his predecessor, former Democratic President Joe Biden, have consistently supported Israel during its conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Rubio emphasized that “maintaining the United States’ steadfast support for Israel is a top priority for Trump,” the State Department stated.
Additionally, Rubio conducted calls with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, discussing issues related to Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon.
Rubio assured Netanyahu that the U.S. would continue its efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
The latest wave of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza that has resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The offensive has sparked accusations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel denies, while leading to widespread displacement and a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
A ceasefire, which took effect on Sunday, has facilitated the release of some hostages from Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. However, rights groups have criticized the humanitarian consequences of the military assault.
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The U.S. government has maintained its support for Israel, citing the defense against Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
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“The Secretary also conveyed (to Netanyahu) that he looks forward to addressing the threats posed by Iran and pursuing opportunities for peace,” the State Department added.
