Israel struck an Islamic Jihad member it accused of planning an attack, a claim the group denies.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: File
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that Washington does not view a strike that Israel says targeted a member of a Palestinian militant group in Gaza as a violation of the U.S.-backed ceasefire.
Israel said it struck a member of the Islamic Jihad group on Saturday, accusing the individual of planning to attack Israeli troops. Islamic Jihad denied planning an attack.
Speaking aboard President Donald Trump’s plane during a trip to Asia, Rubio said, “We don’t view this as a violation of the ceasefire.”
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The top US diplomat added that Israel did not give up its right to self-defense under the deal brokered by Washington, Egypt and Qatar that saw the main militant faction in Gaza, Hamas, release the remaining live hostages held in Gaza this month.
“They have the right if there is an imminent threat to Israel, and all the mediators agree with that,” Rubio said.
Rubio said the Gaza ceasefire, which remains in effect between Israel and Hamas just over two years after the start of the war, was based on obligations on both sides, reiterating that Hamas must expedite the return of the remains of hostages who died in captivity.
Saturday’s Israeli attack came shortly after Rubio left Israel following a visit aimed at consolidating the ceasefire.
