US seeks to reassure Gulf allies ahead of Arab-Islamic summit in Qatar

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to reassure Qatar and Gulf allies on Monday following last week’s Israeli attack on Doha, hours before the opening of an Arab-Islamic summit in the Qatari capital.

Addressing a press conference in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rubio said Washington is in constant contact with its Gulf allies, and still counts on Qatar’s role to reach a Gaza ceasefire and hostage swap deal between Israel and Hamas.

The US will continue to encourage Qatar to play a “constructive mediating role” in efforts to secure a Gaza deal.

Washington remains focused on “what happens now” in the conflict, he said, stressing that Qatar could help broker an outcome that goes beyond ending hostilities.

“We are focused on what happens next,” Rubio said. “What role could Qatar play possibly in reaching an outcome here that leads not just to the end of these hostilities, not just to the release of all of the hostages - both living and deceased.”