Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. relationship with Israel remains unchanged and pledged continued support even as he travels to Qatar to press Doha to help secure hostage releases and advance an end to the Gaza war.
In an interview with Fox News in Jerusalem, Rubio acknowledged White House displeasure over last week’s Israeli strike that targeted Hamas negotiators in Qatar but rejected the notion that Washington would withdraw its partnership with Israel. "We're going to continue to be strong allies and partners," he said, adding that the United States is "not going to stop being their partner and their ally." Rubio said he would visit Doha on Tuesday to urge Qatari leaders to play a "constructive role" in resolving the conflict and freeing hostages still held by Hamas.
Rubio said the U.S. understands Qatar’s anger and understands Israel’s position, but said both concerns must be balanced against the immediate priorities of stopping the fighting and recovering hostages. Qatar, a U.S. partner and host to Hamas political leaders, convened an Arab-Islamic summit one day before Rubio’s planned visit; a draft resolution circulated at the meeting blamed Israel for "threatening the prospects of peace and coexistence in the region."
The strike in Doha prompted broad regional criticism and raised questions about diplomatic efforts to negotiate a cease-fire or prisoner exchanges. Rubio urged parties to "stay focused on what happens moving forward," saying that Americangovernment priorities include ending hostilities and removing Hamas as a threat to realize a lasting peace.
When asked whether the United States supports Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank, Rubio declined to offer a definitive position. He attributed some of the discussion about annexation to international moves to recognize a Palestinian state, arguing that declarations by European and Canadian governments have practical effects that complicate peace efforts. "We warned it would force Israel to now do things in reaction to that," he said.
Rubio addressed broader global concerns, including recent drone incursions into NATO-member countries Poland and Romania. He rejected the view that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "emboldened" by a recent summit with former President Donald Trump, saying the incident illustrated the urgency of resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. "Wars generally will escalate. They'll actually get worse, not better," Rubio said, characterizing the cross-border drone activity as attempts to weaken adversaries rather than shape front-line outcomes.
On a separate matter, Rubio defended a U.S. reward offering tied to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro after media accounts described it as placing a "bounty" on his head. The administration announced a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest following an indictment returned by a U.S. grand jury in the Southern District of New York. Rubio said the indictment named Maduro and an associated network accused of using state instruments to facilitate drug trafficking into the United States and characterized those actions as a direct threat to U.S. national security and interests.
Rubio’s trip to Qatar comes as U.S. officials seek to manage a delicate set of diplomatic relationships: maintaining strategic ties with Israel, pressing regional mediators to aid in hostage negotiations, and addressing reactions from Arab states alarmed by the Doha strike. The visit also signals Washington’s continued engagement in efforts to shape the next steps in and after the Gaza conflict, even as allies and partners voice competing pressures and criticisms.
The secretary’s itinerary includes meetings in Doha aimed at reaffirming U.S. priorities on hostage recovery, civilian protection and steps to achieve a broader cessation of hostilities. Rubio said the administration’s message to regional interlocutors will focus on tangible actions that can reduce violence and secure the release of captives rather than dwelling solely on the circumstances of past strikes.
U.S. officials have not disclosed specific outcomes expected from the Doha meetings. Rubio’s public remarks framed the trip as part of a broader diplomatic push to keep channels open with both Israel and Arab partners while pursuing immediate humanitarian and security goals in the region.