Heavy Bombing Reported In Gaza City After Rubio Backs Israel

Israel launched heavy airstrikes on Gaza City on Tuesday, witnesses told AFP, just hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced strong support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new offensive and its stated aim of eliminating Hamas.

During his visit to Jerusalem on Monday, Rubio aligned fully with Netanyahu, declaring that Israel could “count on our unwavering support” in its military campaign across the war-ravaged enclave.

Shortly after, witnesses described to AFP “heavy, relentless bombing on Gaza City,” which flattened homes and left people trapped under rubble. “We can hear their screams,” said 25-year-old resident Ahmed Ghazal.

Rubio’s trip came despite US President Donald Trump’s criticism a week earlier of Israeli strikes on Hamas leaders in Qatar, a key US partner. But Rubio dismissed the Qatari-mediated ceasefire talks and branded Hamas—whose October 7, 2023 assault on Israel ignited the conflict—“barbaric animals.” He is set to travel to Qatar on Tuesday to reassure the Gulf state, home to the largest US air base in the region and a key Trump ally. Trump later told reporters that Netanyahu “won’t be hitting in Qatar” again.

France pushes Palestinian statehood

Israel’s latest campaign is focused on seizing Gaza City, where the UN reported last month that a million people were facing famine—a finding Israel disputes. Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defence agency, said “bombing is still ongoing heavily across Gaza City, and the number of deaths and injuries continues to rise.” He added that Israeli strikes also hit the southern city of Khan Yunis, a day after 49 people were reported killed there.

Independent verification of casualty figures remains difficult due to media restrictions and limited access.

Rubio’s visit comes a week before France hosts a UN summit where several US allies, frustrated by Israel’s stance, are expected to recognise a Palestinian state. Netanyahu’s government fiercely opposes the move, and far-right ministers have even called for annexation of the West Bank. The UAE, which normalised relations with Israel five years ago, has voiced sharp protests.

Netanyahu hailed Rubio’s visit as a “clear message” of US solidarity, calling Trump “the greatest friend Israel has ever had.” Standing beside him, Rubio said the “people of Gaza deserve a better future—but that future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated.”

Hamas’s October 7 assault killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has since killed over 64,900 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which the UN regards as credible.

Rubio also met privately with families of hostages still held in Gaza. Of the 251 people abducted during the October 2023 attacks, 47 remain captive, including 25 the Israeli military believes are dead.