The arrival of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Israel on Sunday is yet another opportunity that cannot be missed by Israeli leadership to bring the Israel-Hamas War to a satisfactory close, as time continues to run out – both for the hostages and for Israel’s good name, reputation, and international credit.
This moment is a test: Will Jerusalem seize the chance to reset course, or will it once again squander a rare window for diplomacy?
Israel’s airstrike last week on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, was backed by a mix of support and dread among Israeli officials. But it came at a fierce diplomatic cost that may not be restored. What looked like tactical success has left Israel bruised strategically, alarming allies, alienating partners, and setting back fragile progress toward an endgame.
Before departing for Tel Aviv on Saturday night, Rubio told reporters his goal was to understand how last week’s events would shape the next phases of the war. In other words, Washington is asking the questions that Jerusalem refuses to confront: What is the path out of this cycle, and who will pay the price if it is not found?
“The US-Israeli relationship is very strong,” Rubio said before departing. “It continues to be strong.”
True enough, but no alliance is unshakable. This strength will endure only if Israel begins to match its military instincts with political judgment.
Rubio’s trip follows criticism by US President Donald Trump about the attack. When even Trump, Israel’s staunchest defender, raises alarm, it should be impossible for Israel’s leaders to ignore.
“The president wants this conflict to end,” Rubio said Saturday. “He wants all the hostages out, all 48 of them, living and deceased... Obviously we’re concerned [about the] events last week. He didn’t like the way it went down,” [and] “he’s expressed that publicly.”
Washington is telling Israel that enough is enough
Washington’s message could not be clearer: Enough.
Rubio said the crux of his trip to Jerusalem would be to talk “about what impact it’s going to have on efforts to get all the hostages back, get rid of Hamas, end this war. That’s the president’s priority.” What needs to happen now is to figure out what comes next, he said.
The Americans want results, not excuses.
But Israeli leaders, as professed by their statements, show indifference to the growing international isolation. The war grinds on, deals collapse, and with each passing week, Israel’s credit abroad is depleted.
To be clear, the Hamas terrorist organization that started this catastrophe – and its Qatari backer – bear the blame. But that does not absolve Israel from responsibility for its own choices. Time has long since run out on its legitimacy to continue advancing into Gaza City, destroying one Hamas stronghold after another – Rafah, the Philadelphi Corridor, and now Gaza City – without a political horizon to match.
We Israelis have an eternal enemy, but we cannot fight an eternal war.
Trump has said this plainly, Israelis feel it deeply, and the world is shouting it back at us – from the icy rebukes of the European Union, to the cancellations of cultural events featuring Israelis, to the stunned reactions of Middle Eastern allies after the Qatar airstrike.
The chill is real, and it will not lift unless Israel changes course.
The idea Hamas represents will not be defeated by flattening Gaza, killing more Palestinians, dooming the hostages, and sending more soldiers to die. It demands a different treatment: political strategy alongside military action; creative diplomacy instead of endless bombardment.
Rubio’s visit is a warning bell. Israel’s legitimacy to act as it has is nearly exhausted. Unless Jerusalem is prepared to embrace pariah status – with all the economic, cultural, and security consequences that entails – it must pivot now.
Bring the hostages home. Provide a true and lasting sense of security. Heed Rubio’s clarion call before the window closes for good.