Rubio asks Qatar to stay as mediator after Israeli strike

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio headed to Qatar to ask it to stay on as mediator in Gaza, hoping to reassure the Gulf partner a week after Israeli airstrikes there against Hamas leaders.

Heading to Qatar from Israel, which overnight carried out major new strikes in Gaza, Mr Rubio was pessimistic about a ceasefire deal but said Qatar uniquely could help.

"We're going to ask Qatar to continue to do what they've done, and we appreciate very much, and that is, play a constructive role in trying to bring this to an end," Mr Rubio told reporters as he flew out of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport.

"Obviously they have to decide if they want to do that after last week or not, but we want them to know that if there's any country in the world that could help end this through a negotiation it's Qatar," he said.

Mr Rubio said the US would work with Qatar to finalise a defence agreement soon despite the Israeli military action.

US President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "won't be hitting" Qatar again.

Mr Rubio made no such comments in Israel. Speaking next to Mr Netanyahu, Mr Rubio was reticent on praising Qatar, saying only that it was important to look forward after the strike.

In language also not used publicly in Israel, US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said that Mr Rubio in Doha "will reaffirm America's full support for Qatar's security and sovereignty following Israel's strike".

The State Department said Rubio would meet Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Qatar has been at the centre of diplomacy to broker an end to the nearly two-year Gaza war, and Israel struck as Hamas leaders were gathering to discuss a new US ceasefire proposal.

Mr Rubio backed Israel's new offensive on Gaza City and its stated goal of eradicating Hamas, casting doubt on whether a diplomatic solution was on the cards.

Following his meetings with Mr Netanyahu, Israel launched a heavy overnight bombardment of Gaza City, witnesses said.

Israel aims to seize Gaza city

Israel has launched a major new military campaign aimed at seizing Gaza City, the territory's largest urban centre, where the United Nations determined last month a million people were facing famine - a finding rejected by Israel.

Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the Gaza civil defence agency, said that "bombing is still ongoing heavily across Gaza City, and the number of deaths and injuries continues to rise".

Mr Bassal said the Israeli military also targeted the southern city of Khan Younis, after the civil defence agency reported Israeli strikes killing 49 people.

Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the details provided by the civil defence agency or the Israeli military.

Mr Rubio's visit comes a week before France will lead a UN summit in which a number of US allies, angered by what they see as Israeli intransigence, plan to recognise a Palestinian state.

Mr Rubio called statehood recognition "largely symbolic", while Mr Netanyahu - whose government is fervently opposed to such a move - said his country may take unspecified "unilateral steps" in response.

Far-right members of Mr Netanyahu's cabinet have called for annexation of the occupied West Bank to preclude a state, triggering protests by the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Netanyahu said Mr Rubio's visit was a "clear message" the United States stood with Israel and called Mr Trump "the greatest friend that Israel has ever had".

Washington's top diplomat, standing alongside the Israeli premier, said "the people of Gaza deserve a better future".

"But that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated," Mr Rubio said at a joint press conference.

The 7 October attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed more than 64,900 people, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable.

Mr Rubio met privately with the hostages' families, who have campaigned hard for their release.

Of the 251 people taken hostage by Palestinian militants in October 2023, 47 remain in Gaza, including 25 the Israeli military says are dead.