Marco Rubio urges Qatar to continue playing mediator in Gaza conflict

JERUSALEM/CAIRO: US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Monday called on Qatar to continue to play a constructive role in resolving the Gaza conflict, speaking in Jerusalem on the same day that Arab leaders were meeting in Doha to respond to an Israeli strike.

Qatar, a US ally which has been co-mediating talks between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, was angered last week by Israel's attack on its capital, which targeted Hamas leaders.

Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his office in Jerusalem, Rubio said Qatar could help reach the goals of releasing all 48 hostages still held in Gaza, disarming Hamas and building a better future for Gazans. "And so we're going to continue to encourage Qatar to play a constructive role," he said.


Netanyahu, who has not backed down since the strike drew condemnation, said he did not rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders "wherever they are".