US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) looks on as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) takes a question during a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on September 15, 2025. AFP
"The people of Gaza deserve a better future, but that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated," Rubio told reporters next to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"You can count on our unwavering support and commitment to see it come to fruition," he said.
Netanyahu said Rubio's visit was a "clear message" that the United States stood with Israel and praised President Donald Trump for his backing, calling him “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.”
Despite Arab and international condemnations of the Israeli strike that targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar, Netanyahu said he does not rule out further attacks against Hamas officials “wherever they may be.”
"No immunity for Hamas leaders,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel takes “full responsibility” for the attack on Doha.
The "raid didn't fail. It had one central message," Netanyahu said, amid Israeli security assessments indicating the strike failed to assassinate the Hamas negotiating delegation in Doha.
Rubio echoed Netanyahu’s hardline stance, saying Hamas "must be dismantled as an armed entity," claiming it poses a threat to peace and security in the region.
He insisted Washington remains aligned with Israel despite its ongoing genocidal war on Gaza, claiming that Hamas had been “emboldened” by Western recognition of a Palestinian state.
"They're largely symbolic... the only impact they actually have is it makes Hamas feel more emboldened," Rubio said.
Rubio also highlighted Qatar’s role in Gaza ceasefire mediation, saying Washington will encourage Doha to continue its efforts.
“Qatar can play a decisive role in creating a better future for Gaza’s residents,” he added.
He further noted that US coordination with Gulf allies continues “before and after the Israeli strike in Doha.”
'Maximum pressure' on Iran
Rubio also promised to maintain “maximum pressure” on Iran to stop it from developing a nuclear programme, following Israel’s attack on the country in June.
“A nuclear Iran governed by a radical Shiite cleric that possesses not just nuclear weapons potentially but the missiles to deliver them is an unacceptable risk — not just for Israel, not just for the United States, but for the world,” Rubio said at a joint news conference with Netanyahu.
“That’s why the president continues with a campaign of maximum pressure,” Rubio said, referring to President Donald Trump.
Trump initially pursued diplomacy with Iran but later ordered US bombers to strike key Iranian nuclear sites.
“The decision by President Trump to target Iran’s nuclear facilities was not merely militarily wise,” Netanyahu said. “It was also a message to the entire world that the United States defends its interests and its allies, and America has no better ally than Israel.”
Iranian officials, who have insisted Iran's nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, say more than 1,000 people were killed in the 12-day war.
Meanwhile, Iranian drone and missile barrages killed at least 28 people in Israel during the war, according to official figures.
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