US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Israel on Sunday for a high stakes visit, aiming to rescue faltering peace efforts and reaffirm America’s commitment to its embattled ally. His visit follows Israel’s controversial strike in Qatar last week, which targeted senior Hamas political leaders but threatened to derail fragile, US-backed truce negotiations. The strike has unsettled other American partners in the region, including Qatar itself, a long-standing intermediary in hostage talks.

Before leaving Washington, Rubio emphasised President Trump’s determination to “finish” the war in Gaza, calling for the immediate release of all 48 hostages and the eradication of Hamas as a threat. In Israel, Rubio is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday, with joint statements expected before his departure on Tuesday. On Sunday, he will visit the Western Wall in occupied East Jerusalem, a symbolic gesture with significant geopolitical undertones.

In Tel Aviv, families of hostages held in Gaza staged a demonstration on Saturday, demanding that the government end the war through a comprehensive agreement that secures the release of all captives. The families accused Netanyahu of undermining negotiations, citing the strike in Qatar as a reckless move that jeopardised months of delicate diplomacy.

Rubio’s visit highlights growing divisions within Washington’s Middle East coalition, as allies question Israel’s tactics even while supporting its strategic objectives. The Biden-Trump foreign policy hybrid now faces the delicate task of uniting its partners, curbing escalation, and steering the conflict towards an endgame in a war that has dragged on for nearly two years.