US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to reiterate Washington’s support for its ally, and the two also discussed Iran and Israeli hostages in Gaza, the State Department said.
It was Rubio’s first call with Israel since Republican President Donald Trump’s administration took office on Monday. Trump and his predecessor, Democratic former President Joe Biden, have both been supporters of Israel during the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
Rubio underlined that “maintaining the United States’ steadfast support for Israel is a top priority for Trump,” the State Department said in a statement.
The State Department said Rubio told Netanyahu that Washington would continue to work “tirelessly” to help free the remaining hostages in Gaza.
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli data.
The Gaza Health Ministry says Israel’s subsequent military offensive on Gaza has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, while allegations of genocide and war crimes have also been made, which Israel denies. The attack displaced almost the entire population of Gaza and created a hunger crisis.
The ceasefire took effect on Sunday and resulted in the release of some Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Rights groups have criticized the growing humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s military offensive. Washington has maintained its support, saying it is helping its ally defend against Iran-backed terrorist groups including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen.
“The Secretary also expressed that he looks forward to addressing the threats posed by Iran and advancing opportunities for peace,” the State Department said.
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