On visit to Jerusalem, Rubio backs Israel in its goal to eradicate Hamas

‘The people of Gaza deserve a better future, but that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated,’ the US Secretary of State said

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday backed Israel’s new offensive on Gaza City and its goal of eradicating Hamas, casting doubt on whether diplomacy would work to end nearly two years of war.

Rubio and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared united on a visit to Jerusalem, despite US President Donald Trump chiding Israel a week earlier for carrying out air strikes on Hamas leaders in US partner Qatar.

“The people of Gaza deserve a better future, but that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated,” Rubio told reporters at a joint press conference with Netanyahu.

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