Rubio in Israel after Qatar strike

TOP US diplomat Marco Rubio began a visit to Israel yesterday, after expressing the Trump administration's unwavering support for its ally in the war with Hamas despite a strike in Qatar that drew broad criticism of Israel.

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The trip is taking place after President Donald Trump rebuked Israel over the unprecedented attack against Hamas leaders meeting in Doha last week.

It marked Israel's first such strike against US ally Qatar and has put renewed strain on diplomatic efforts to bring about a truce in Gaza.

Before departing for the region, Rubio told reporters that while Trump was "not happy" about the strike, it was "not going to change the nature of our relationship with the Israelis".

But he added that the US and Israel were "going to have to talk about" its impact on truce efforts.

Last week, Trump met with Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, while Rubio's visit comes as Arab and Muslim leaders are set to meet today in Doha to express solidarity with the Gulf state in the aftermath of the Israeli strike.

Israel's strike targeted Hamas leaders gathering to discuss a new ceasefire proposal put forward by the US.

Netanyahu has defended the operation, saying that killing senior Hamas officials would remove the "main obstacle" to ending the war.

In Jerusalem, Rubio was to visit the Western Wall with Netanyahu yesterday, according to the Israeli prime minister's office.