Qatar and the United States are on the verge of finalizing an enhanced defense cooperation agreement, says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio while en route to Doha from Tel Aviv today, after Israel’s attack targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar last week drew widespread condemnation.
Rubio calls for Qatar to continue its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza war.
“If any country in the world can help mediate it, Qatar is the one. They’re the ones that can do it,” Rubio says while departing Tel Aviv for Doha.
Prime Minister Benjamin has said he does not rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders “wherever they are.” The heads of Arab and Islamic states held a summit yesterday to back Qatar after Israel’s attack.
Qatar called the Israeli attack “cowardly and treacherous,” but said it wouldn’t deter it from its role as a mediator, alongside Egypt and the United States.
“We have a close partnership with the Qataris. In fact, we have an enhanced defense cooperation agreement, which we’ve been working on, we’re on the verge of finalizing,” Rubio says.
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