LONDON and JERUSALEM — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived on Sunday morning in Israel, the place he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to debate the struggle in Gaza.
“My focus might be on securing the return of hostages, discovering methods to ensure humanitarian help reaches civilians, and addressing the menace posed by Hamas,” Rubio stated on social media forward of his flight to Israel.
He added, “Hamas can not live on if peace within the area is the aim.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his spouse Jeanette Dousdebes are greeted upon arival by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and his spouse Janet Huckabee, at Ben Gurion Worldwide Airport, close to Lod, Israel, Sept. 14, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
The secretary and his spouse, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio, have been greeted upon arrival at Ben Gurion airport by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and his spouse, Janet Huckabee.
Rubio later met one-on-one with Netanyahu earlier than the 2 visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem, additionally referred to as the the “Wailing Wall,” one of many world’s most vital spiritual websites for the Jewish individuals. Whereas there, Netanyahu stated he and Rubio “buried a be aware among the many stones.”
Rubio and Netanyahu toured the archaeological website together with Netanyahu’s spouse, Sara, Rubio’s spouse, and Huckabee and his spouse.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his spouse Jeanette Dousdebes arrive at Ben Gurion Worldwide Airport, close to Lod, Israel, September 14, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
“I feel his go to here’s a testomony to the resilience and power of the American-Israeli alliance, which is as sturdy and robust because the stones of the Western Wall that we simply touched,” Netanyahu stated of Rubio’s go to.
Netanyahu and Rubio, in keeping with the prime minster’s assertion, provided a joint prayer for the protection of the hostages, in addition to a particular prayer honoring President Donald Trump, whom Netanyahu described as “a real good friend of the Jewish individuals and the State of Israel.”
“Beneath President Trump, Secretary Rubio and their whole crew, this alliance has by no means been stronger, and we recognize it very a lot,” Netanyahu’s assertion stated. “Not solely on behalf of the individuals of Israel right now, but additionally on behalf of the generations of Jews who got here earlier than us, within the hope that we are going to rebuild our nation with pals such as you. Thanks, Marco.”
Throughout his conferences with Netanyahu and different Israeli officers, Rubio is predicted to “convey America’s priorities within the Israel-Hamas battle and broader points regarding Center Japanese safety, reaffirming U.S. dedication to Israeli safety,” in keeping with the U.S. State Division.
Netanyahu and Rubio are additionally anticipated to debate the deliberate Israeli operation to grab management of Gaza Metropolis, the most important metropolis within the Gaza Strip, the State Division stated.
Israel final week issued an order calling for residents of the town to evacuate, saying the Israeli army would function “with nice power” throughout the metropolis.
