Overview

• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel and held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the Gaza war.
• The State Department said discussions include Israel’s planned operation to seize control of Gaza City after an evacuation order issued last week.
• Rubio stated his priorities as securing the return of hostages, ensuring aid reaches civilians, and addressing the threat posed by Hamas, adding that Hamas cannot remain if peace is the goal.
• Rubio and Netanyahu visited the Western Wall for a joint prayer for hostages and a prayer honoring President Donald Trump, with Netanyahu calling the visit a testament to the U.S.-Israel alliance.
• Rubio was greeted at Ben Gurion airport by U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee before touring a Jerusalem archaeological site with Netanyahu and their spouses.