Qatar and the United States are close to concluding an enhanced defense cooperation agreement, Rubio announced Tuesday morning while traveling from Israel to Doha.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he does not rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders "wherever they may be," as Arab and Muslim leaders held a summit in support of Qatar following last week's Israeli strike in the Gulf state.
Rubio urged Qatar to continue its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas to secure a cease-fire in the Gaza war, saying there was "a very short window of time" to reach a deal.
"If any country in the world can help mediate it, Qatar is the one. They're the ones that can do it," Rubio said as he departed Tel Aviv for Doha. Qatar called the Israeli strike "cowardly and treacherous," but stressed it would not deter it from its role as mediator alongside Egypt and the United States. "We have a close partnership with the Qataris. In fact, we have an enhanced defense cooperation agreement, which we've been working on, we're on the verge of finalising," Rubio added.
