U.S. Fully Supports Israel in Efforts to Defeat Hamas

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Jerusalem on September 15, 2025, and publicly stated that the U.S. government fully supports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to defeat Hamas, emphasizing that the release of detained Israeli hostages is the top priority.

At a joint press conference with Netanyahu, Rubio did not mention any ceasefire and did not criticize Israel’s recent airstrikes in Doha. Although these strikes did not target senior Hamas leaders, they caused the death of a Qatari security officer, provoking strong condemnation from the Arab world.

Rubio’s visit is seen as part of U.S. diplomatic efforts in the Middle East to balance interests and promote regional stability. He stressed that global recognition of a Palestinian state could escalate the conflict and benefit Hamas. He also plans to visit Qatar to seek the country’s diplomatic role in hostage negotiations.

The international community has expressed concern over Israel’s heavy bombardment in Gaza, with UN agencies reporting large-scale civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir expressed doubts about the effectiveness of current military strategies and criticized the ongoing humanitarian aid response.