WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that Washington does not consider an Israeli strike in Gaza, which targeted a member of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, to be a violation of the US-backed ceasefire.
Israel said the strike, carried out on Saturday, targeted an Islamic Jihad operative accused of planning an attack against Israeli troops. The militant group, however, denied the allegation, saying no such operation was being prepared.
Speaking to reporters aboard President Donald Trump’s plane during a visit to Asia, Rubio clarified that the United States viewed the strike as consistent with Israel’s right to self-defence under the ceasefire agreement.
“We don’t view that as a violation of the ceasefire,” Rubio said. “Israel has not surrendered its right to defend itself if there’s an imminent threat, and all the mediators agree with that.”
The ceasefire deal — brokered by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar — led to the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas earlier this month. It remains in effect more than two years after the Gaza war began.
Rubio added that both sides have specific obligations under the truce, emphasizing that Hamas must expedite the return of the remains of hostages who died in captivity. “The agreement works only if both parties uphold their commitments,” he said.
The latest Israeli strike occurred shortly after Rubio concluded a visit to Israel aimed at reinforcing the fragile ceasefire and urging continued cooperation among the mediators to maintain calm in Gaza.
