The United States does not consider Isr–@el’s recent airstrike in G@za a breach of the ongoing ceasefire, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday. His statement came after Isra-eli claimed it targeted a member of Islamic Jihad accused of planning an attack.
Rubio clarified that Isr@el’s action was not viewed as a violation of the US-backed ceasefire deal brokered by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. He emphasized that Israel still holds the right to defend itself if it faces an imminent threat. “They have the right if there’s an imminent threat to Israel, and all the mediators agree with that,” Rubio stated while speaking aboard President Donald Trump’s plane during his Asia tour.
Israel said the strike, carried out on Saturday, was against an Islamic Jihad member allegedly preparing an attack on Israeli forces. However, Islamic Jihad strongly denied any such plan.
Rubio also stressed that the ceasefire, which has been in place between Israel and Hamas for more than two years since the war began, depends on both sides fulfilling their responsibilities. He urged Hamas to speed up the return of the remains of hostages who died while in captivity.
The strike occurred shortly after Rubio left Israel following a visit aimed at supporting and strengthening the fragile ceasefire.
