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Secretary of State Marco Rubio early Tuesday stated that the U.S. and Qatar have been on the verge of finalizing a protection cooperation settlement as he framed the Center Japanese ally because the “solely nation on the planet” positioned to mediate between Israel and Hamas.
The secretary’s feedback got here as he was leaving Jerusalem, the place he had met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The assembly befell in opposition to the backdrop of Israel’s airstrikes on Hamas leaders in Qatar final week, in addition to its intensifying bombardment of Gaza Metropolis.
Rubio, who’s now heading to Qatar for a fast go to, acknowledged Doha’s anger over the Israeli airstrikes, telling Fox Information throughout an unique interview in Jerusalem: “We perceive they’re not comfortable about what occurred.”
Talking to reporters, Rubio reaffirmed the U.S. dedication to Qatar as an ally, saying Doha can play a “key position” in guaranteeing the terrorist group Hamas is “disarmed as a risk.”
EXCLUSIVE: RUBIO SAYS US-ISRAEL ALLIANCE REMAINS FIRM AS HE HEADS TO QATAR AMID BACKLASH OVER DOHA STRIKES
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens as he speaks to media at Ben Gurion Worldwide Airport, as he departs Tel Aviv for Qatar following an official go to, close to Lod, Israel, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Picture through AP)
“We predict Qatar can play a really key position in that. So, we’re going there. We now have a detailed partnership with the Qataris,” Rubio stated earlier than including, “In truth, we’ve an enhanced protection cooperation settlement, which we’ve been engaged on and we’re on the verge of finalizing.”
RUBIO SAYS ISRAEL STRIKE ON SYRIAN MILITARY HEADQUARTERS ‘LIKELY A MISUNDERSTANDING’
Rubio stated that if any nation on the planet may mediate an settlement between Israel and Hamas, “Qatar is the one.”
Journalists increase their fingers as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, proper, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio maintain a joint press convention on the Prime Minister’s Workplace, throughout Rubio’s go to, in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Picture through AP)
“They’re those that may do it. Now, I don’t know if they’ll after what occurred, however I believe they may. If anybody can, they’ll. There’s no different nation on the planet that may play that position. And we hope they’ll,” Rubio stated.
Smoke rises from an explosion, allegedly attributable to an Israeli strike, in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (UGC through AP)
The secretary warned that the window for diplomacy with Hamas was narrowing, saying, “We don’t have months anymore … We in all probability have days, possibly a couple of weeks.”
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“So, it’s a key second – an necessary second,” Rubio stated. “And once more, our desire, our primary alternative, is that this ends by means of a negotiated summit the place Hamas says, ‘We’re going to demilitarize. We’re not going to pose this risk. We’re going to disband. We’re going to launch each single hostage.’”
