Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to rule out carrying out further strikes on Hamas leaders overseas, following last week’s attack in Qatar that killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer.
Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Mr Netanyahu said: “The principle that terrorists should not have immunity wherever they are, wherever they may be, was not established by me.”
The remarks came as an emergency summit of Arab and Islamic states convened in Doha to condemn Israel’s actions. Qatar accused Israel of violating its sovereignty by striking Hamas leaders in the capital last week, with regional leaders warning that the move risked undermining peace efforts.
Mr Rubio, who is visiting Israel for talks, backed Israel’s stance and described Hamas as “savage terrorists”. He said: “As much as we may wish that there be a peaceful, diplomatic way to end it, and we’ll continue to explore and be dedicated to it, we also have to be prepared for the possibility that’s not going to happen. Hamas needs to cease to exist as an armed element that can threaten the peace and security of the region.”
When asked how Washington would respond to Israel’s Doha strike, Mr Rubio did not directly answer but said the United States remained focused on what happens next and would continue to encourage Qatar to play a mediating role in the talks.
Former US president Donald Trump said he was not “thrilled” by Israel’s decision to strike in Doha, but Netanyahu praised Mr Rubio’s presence as a signal of continued US backing. “Your presence here in Israel today is a clear message that America stands with Israel. You stand with us in the face of terror,” he told the secretary of state.