US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Tuesday that Hamas has a “very short window” to agree to a ceasefire, as Israel intensifies its bombardment of Gaza City.
Rubio, speaking to reporters as he left Israel for Qatar, stated, “The Israelis have begun operations there (in Gaza). Therefore, we believe there is a very short time frame for reaching an agreement. We no longer have months; it could be days or a few weeks.”
He added, “Our first choice is for this crisis to end through a negotiated settlement in which Hamas would say, ‘We will lay down our arms and will no longer pose a threat.'”
Rubio went on to say, “When sometimes dealing with a group of savages like Hamas, that might not be possible, but we hope it can happen.”
On Monday, Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, expressing support for the renewed Israeli offensive in Gaza aimed at dismantling Hamas.
Additionally, health officials in Gaza reported that Israeli airstrikes have demolished several buildings, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 Palestinians.
Rubio’s visit coincides with an emergency Arab Islamic summit in Qatar, following an Israeli attack last week targeting Hamas leaders based in Doha.
As diplomatic efforts unfold in both Jerusalem and Doha, the Palestinian death toll continues to rise after two air raids struck locations in Gaza City, one targeting family homes and the other hitting a tent sheltering displaced families.
Witnesses reported that air and ground strikes affected multiple areas, causing panic and prompting thousands to flee makeshift camps set up on streets and open land.
Israel claims that its offensive to take control of Gaza City is part of a broader strategy to permanently defeat Hamas, urging civilians to move south toward designated humanitarian zones.
However, the United Nations and several countries assert that Israel’s tactics could amount to forced mass displacement, and the conditions in the designated humanitarian areas are dire due to food shortages.