US Secretary of State Visits Israel Amid Escalating Violence in Gaza

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday as its military intensified attacks on northern Gaza, flattening multiple high-rise buildings and killing at least 13 Palestinians. Rubio's visit represents a show of support for the increasingly isolated Israel, amid the United Nations' expected contentious debate next week on the creation of a Palestinian state, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposes.

Key Takeaways:

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's two-day visit to Israel began on Sunday, despite US President Donald Trump's anger at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Israeli strike in Doha, which Trump said the US wasn't notified of beforehand.
• Rubio's visit aims to show support for Israel and gather information about Israel's view on a path forward in Gaza, following the Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar last week.
• The visit also represents a balancing act by the Trump administration to navigate relations between key Middle East allies, despite international condemnation of the attack.
• Netanyahu strongly opposes the recognition of a Palestinian state, a position that could lead to further isolation for Israel.
• The US is trying to find a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, but the Israeli strike in Doha has ended attempts to secure an Israel-Hamas ceasefire and the release of hostages before the upcoming UN General Assembly session.
• Rubio met with Qatar's prime minister on Friday to discuss the fallout from the Israeli operation, with Qatar denouncing Israel as foreign ministers from Arab and Muslim nations met to discuss a unified response.
• Airstrikes on Sunday killed at least 13 Palestinians and wounded dozens, with one strike killing at least six members of a family in a tent in Deir al-Balah.
• The Israeli military destroyed three high-rise buildings on Sunday, with one building being struck twice and flattened.
• The Al-Shifa hospital reported casualties, but couldn't confirm the number saying some bodies remain trapped inside.

Statistics:

• At least 13 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Sunday.
• Dozens were wounded in the same strikes.
• One strike on a tent in Deir al-Balah killed at least six members of a family, including two parents, their three children, and the children's aunt.
• The Israeli military destroyed three high-rise buildings on Sunday.

Sources:

• Associated Press (AP) [no date mentioned in the original text]
• Breitbart News Network (BNN) did not appear in the original text