US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Arrives in Israel Amid Escalating Gaza Conflict

BREAKING NEWS US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Visits Israel Amid Ongoing Conflict in Gaza Israeli forces have continued to destroy residential buildings in Gaza City, forcing thousands to flee ahead of an expected ground offensive. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday to discuss the war in Gaza with Israeli leaders. Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, where he stated that US-Israeli relations have "never been stronger." However, earlier this week, President Donald Trump expressed unhappiness over an Israeli strike on a key US ally. Rubio acknowledged this, saying, "Obviously we're not happy about it, the president was not happy about it." The visit comes as Israel continues to target Hamas members in Gaza, with reports of airstrikes and artillery fire. The conflict has resulted in significant destruction and loss of life, with thousands displaced. In a statement at Joint Base Andrews before departing for Israel, Rubio emphasized that Trump's priority remains the return of all hostages and an end to the war. He added that the US would continue to work towards a peaceful resolution. Background context: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, with periodic escalations in violence. The current situation began after Hamas launched rockets into Israel, prompting a military response from Israel. What happens next: Rubio's visit aims to facilitate dialogue between Israel and the US on how to move forward in the conflict. However, the immediate impact of his visit remains uncertain, as both sides continue to engage in military action. *This story is developing. Information compiled from Bbc reporting.*