Rubio says a diplomatic solution to Gaza war may not be possible

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cast doubt on the chances of negotiating the surrender of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, saying on Sept 15 during a visit to Israel that a diplomatic deal to end the war in the Gaza Strip might not be possible.

- Michael Crowley

Mr Rubio spoke at a news conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the two men met for several hours.

His comments struck a more pessimistic tone than President Donald Trump, who earlier in September had said that a deal to stop the fighting in Gaza and free hostages there could come "very soon".

While making clear that the United States would still pursue a peace settlement, Mr Rubio said Hamas is "a terrorist group, a barbaric group, whose stated mission is the destruction of the Jewish state. So we're not counting on that happening".

His remarks were in harmony with those of Mr Netanyahu, who reiterated that Israel "must make sure Hamas is eliminated". He later said he would prefer a Hamas "surrender" to continued fighting if possible.

Despite tensions between Mr Netanyahu and Mr Trump about the Gaza war and Israel’s recent strike against Hamas leaders in the Gulf nation of Qatar, Mr Rubio and the Israeli premier presented a unified front.

"It's obvious that Israel has no better ally than America," Mr Netanyahu said. "The American-Israeli alliance has never been as strong as it is now."