Rubio tells Israel the US backs 'constructive role' by Qatar

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Israel on Monday that Washington supported the "constructive role" by Qatar in mediating in Gaza, days after an Israeli strike on Doha targeting Hamas officials.

Both Rubio and President Donald Trump have said they opposed the attack on Qatar, which is home to the largest US air base in the Middle East.

Asked what he told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rubio said, "We are focused on what happens now, what happens next, what role can Qatar play possibly in reaching an outcome" to end the war in Gaza.

"We're going to continue to encourage Qatar to play a constructive role in that regard," Rubio told a joint news conference with Netanyahu.

Netanyahu defended the Israeli strike. 

"We assume full responsibility for it because we believe that terrorists should not be given a haven and the people who planned the worst massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust cannot have immunity," the Israeli prime minister said.

In recent years, Israel as well as the United States reportedly had quietly encouraged Qatar's role in Gaza, including its transfer of millions of dollars to Hamas in hopes of maintaining stability in the enclave.

Israel and the US also viewed Qatar, with its close relationship with Washington, as a better place to keep an eye on Hamas and prevent senior officials from basing themselves in Iran. 

Reporting by AFP