Maps
Magazine

WORLD NEWS

Rubio, Netanyahu Cement US-Israel Alliance Amid Global Outrage Over Qatar Strike, Gaza Famine
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Netanyahu in Jerusalem, vowing unity as Israel faces global condemnation for strike on Qatar & worsening Gaza famine. UNHRC to hold urgent debate.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-09-15
Rubio, Netanyahu Cement US-Israel Alliance Amid Global Outrage Over Qatar Strike, Gaza Famine

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held high-level talks in West Jerusalem on Monday, reaffirming their countries’ strategic alliance at a time when Israel faces mounting global condemnation over its strike on Qatar and the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

The two officials met for two hours before addressing a joint press conference. Netanyahu hailed Rubio’s visit as “a clear message that America stands with Israel in the face of terror,” while vowing to continue hitting Hamas “wherever they are.” He also dismissed international criticism of the Qatar strike as “immense hypocrisy,” despite US President Donald Trump having been among those who condemned the attack.

Rubio echoed Israel’s narrative, insisting that Hamas “needs to cease to exist as an armed element” and emphasized that Washington was “focused on what happens next” rather than revisiting the controversial Qatar attack.

The show of unity came a day after Rubio and Netanyahu visited the Western Wall alongside US envoy Mike Huckabee, underscoring Washington’s symbolic and strategic backing.

Arab-Islamic World Pushes Back

Their meeting coincided with an Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, where regional leaders denounced Israel’s strike on Qatar, for which Netanyahu took “full responsibility.” The summit also condemned Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

The United Nations Human Rights Council announced an urgent debate on Tuesday, prompted by requests from Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Kuwait representing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It will be the Council’s 10th such debate since 2006.

Israel and the US have boycotted the UN body in the past, dismissing its findings, including a resolution urging an arms embargo on Israel due to its Gaza offensive.

Gaza Siege and Famine Deaths

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. According to the enclave’s Health Ministry, four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Monday due to the Israeli siege and famine. At least 422 people — including 145 children — have now perished from hunger-related causes, with 144 deaths recorded since the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report last month officially declared famine in parts of Gaza.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City residential areas killed dozens more on Monday, furthering what observers describe as the “systematic destruction” of northern Gaza.

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir inflamed tensions further, proposing to build a luxury seafront neighborhood for Israeli police on Gaza’s ruins. “We will finish the mission, occupy Gaza, encourage voluntary emigration,” he said.

Families of Israeli captives held in Gaza expressed frustration, demanding an urgent meeting with army chief Eyal Zamir, who admitted the military has been left in the dark about Netanyahu’s next steps.

Global Civil Society Pushback

As Israel expands settlement activity in the occupied West Bank, more than 80 international civil society groups, led by Oxfam, launched a “Stop Trade With Settlements” campaign. The initiative urges governments and companies — including Maersk, Siemens, and Barclays — to ban trade with illegal settlements, citing Israel’s “ongoing oppression of Palestinians” and erosion of the viability of a Palestinian state.

Controversial Tunnel Project Visit

During his trip, Rubio is also expected to inaugurate a disputed tunnel project under the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan, connecting to Jerusalem’s holy sites. Palestinian residents warn the project threatens their homes and cultural identity.

Community leader Fakhri Abu Diab criticized Rubio’s alignment with Israel, saying, “Instead of siding with international law, the US is going the way of extremists and the far right and ignoring our history.”

Rubio, however, brushed aside political criticism, calling the tunnel “one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.”

The visit highlights Washington’s unwavering alignment with Israel despite international condemnation, leaving Palestinians questioning whether their plight will ever be addressed by the global powers shaping the region.
Tagged:

Qatar

Israel

Gaza

netanyahu

Rubio
Share News: