US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would provide "unwavering support" to Israel in the war in Gaza as he called for the eradication of Hamas during a visit to the US ally on Monday.
"The people of Gaza deserve a better future, but that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated," Rubio told reporters next to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"You can count on our unwavering support and commitment to see come to fruition."
Rubio says Hamas 'emboldened' by Palestinian state moves
Netanyahu said Rubio's visit was a "clear message" the United States stood with Israel and praised President Donald Trump for his backing, calling him the "greatest friend that Israel has ever had".
On Monday, Rubio said plans by Western nations to recognised a Palestinian state "emboldened" Hamas.
"They're largely symbolic — they have really no impact whatsoever about bringing us any closer to a Palestinian state. The only impact they actually have is it makes Hamas feel more emboldened," he said.
Rubio had said he would speak to Netanyahu about Israeli plans to seize Gaza City, the largest urban centre in the devastated territory, as well as the government's talk of annexing parts of the occupied West Bank in hopes of precluding a Palestinian state.
Rubio said Trump wants the Gaza war to be "finished with" — which would mean the release of hostages and ensuring Hamas is "no longer a threat".
But talks were made more difficult last week when the Trump administration was caught off guard by an Israeli attack in Qatar against Hamas leaders who were meeting to discuss a new US ceasefire proposal for Gaza.
Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed another 17 people on Monday, all but one in Gaza City, said Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the Gaza civil defence agency.
The health ministry in Gaza said the Israelis were pushing more residents into the already overcrowded Al-Mawasi camp, which lacks basics such as food and water and where disease is spreading.
Israel has bombarded Gaza since Hamas's October 7 attack in 2023, in which more than 1,200 people, including an estimated 30 children, were killed and over 200 hostages taken, according to the Israeli government.
More than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's subsequent campaign against Hamas in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, and flattened much of the densely populated strip, which is home to more than two million people.
The October 7 attack was a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Trump reiterates support for Qatar
Trump on Sunday again voiced support for Qatar, which is home to the largest US air base in the region and has assiduously courted the US president, including by gifting a luxury jet.
"Qatar has been a very great ally. Israel and everyone else, we have to be careful. When we attack people we have to be careful," said Trump.
Qatar has, along with Egypt and the United States, led mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas.
Despite the objections over the Qatar strike, Rubio opened the visit on Sunday with a highly symbolic show of support as he joined Netanyahu at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews are allowed to pray.
With Rubio at his side, Netanyahu said the Israel-US alliance has "never been stronger".
