U.S. and Israel reject calls for a ceasefire, saying Hamas must be destroyed

JERUSALEM — Israel and the United States showed a unified front Monday in the face of growing international anger over Israel’s airstrikes on Hamas leaders in Qatar and its intensifying bombardment of Gaza City.

As Arab and Muslim leaders met in Doha to condemn Israel’s attack last week in Qatar and new rounds of criticism were aired over Israeli plans to occupy Gaza City, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stood shoulder-to-shoulder in Jerusalem and downplayed the furor that had, at least for a short time, taken the Trump administration aback.

Rubio planned to pay a quick visit to Qatar on Tuesday, as the administration appears keen to ease tensions between its two close allies, before flying on to London to join President Trump on his state visit to Britain.

“We understand they’re not happy about what happened,” Rubio told Fox News. But “we still have Hamas, we still have hostages, and we still have a war. And all those things still have to be dealt with, and we are hopeful that Qatar and all of our gulf partners will continue to add something constructive.”

There were no signs of U.S. frustration with Israel’s latest actions, although Trump had made clear his displeasure with Israel’s unilateral strike on Hamas in Qatar.

Both Netanyahu and Rubio said the only way to end the conflict in Gaza is through the elimination of Hamas and the release of all hostages, setting aside calls for an interim ceasefire in favor of an immediate end to the conflict.

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Rubio had come to Israel seeking answers from Netanyahu about how Israel intended to proceed in Gaza and assess its interest in Qatar retaining a mediating role. The two said after their talks that the only way to peace is the complete destruction of Hamas and the return of all 48 hostages, around 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

Hamas has said it will free the remaining hostages only in return for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Addressing Rubio, Netanyahu said, “Your presence here in Israel today is a clear message that America stands with Israel. You stand with us in the face of terror.”

The Doha attack, which killed at least five lower-ranking Hamas members and a member of the Qatari security forces, appears to have paused mediation efforts.

Rubio later met with families of the hostages, who aired concerns that Israel’s latest offensive could doom their loved ones and called on the Trump administration to swiftly resume negotiations, according to a statement from the main group representing relatives of the captives.

Fallout from Doha attack

Meanwhile, Israel destroyed another high-rise building in Gaza City as it moved ahead with its offensive. Video showed the explosion and the tower’s collapse. Later, people could be seen scrambling up a mound of gray ruins.

In recent days, Israel has destroyed multiple high-rises after evacuation warnings. It accused Hamas of putting surveillance equipment in them, without providing evidence.

Airstrikes overnight killed at least 14 people, including children, said health officials at Shifa Hospital, where the bodies were brought.

One of the overnight strikes hit a tent housing a family in Gaza City, killing seven people. Another strike hit a tent on the roof of a building, killing a local journalist, Mohammed al-Kuifi, and another individual, according to Shifa.

Israel says it targets only militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it is entrenched in populated areas.

“It was another night of horror. ... The situation is tragic and getting worse day by day,” said Mohammed Saber, a resident in Gaza City.

Rubio downplayed U.S. concerns about Israel’s latest operations in Gaza City, and Netanyahu gave no indication that Israel would let up on its offensive.

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One of Rubio’s reasons for visiting Jerusalem now was to show support for Israel as it expects to face growing international condemnation of the war at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. A number of European countries and Canada have said they intend to recognize a Palestinian state over fervent U.S. and Israeli objections.

Some Israeli politicians have hinted that Israel may respond to such moves by annexing part of the West Bank. Rubio said statehood recognition is actually counterproductive to creating a state through negotiations and suggested that such proclamations are self-serving.

“The only impact they actually have is it makes Hamas feel more emboldened,” he said. “It’s actually served as an impediment to peace.”

Israel and the Palestinians have not held serious or substantive peace talks since Netanyahu returned to office in 2009.

Netanyahu, who strongly opposes Palestinian statehood, said “it is clear that if unilateral actions are taken against us, it simply invites unilateral actions on our part.”

Lee and Magdy write for the Associated Press. Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Julia Frankel in Jerusalem contributed to this report.