Rubio tells Netanyahu U.S. ‘troubled’ by humanitarian crisis in Gaza

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attend a press conference at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, February 16, 2025. Ohad Zwigenberg/Pool via REUTERS

ANTALYA, May 16 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that the United States is troubled by the humanitarian situation in Gaza, following a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking to reporters in Antalya, Turkey, Rubio said the United States is not immune or indifferent to the suffering of civilians in Gaza, where no humanitarian aid has entered since March 2.

“We think that the elimination of Hamas is what achieves peace. We’re troubled by the humanitarian situation,” Rubio said, reiterating the Trump administration’s position that Hamas is responsible for the conflict.

The remarks were Rubio’s first public comments on Gaza since the launch of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is expected to begin operations later this month under a distribution mechanism that has faced international criticism.

Rubio acknowledged the concerns raised about the distribution plan and indicated Washington remains open to alternative frameworks.

“It allows people to get aid without Hamas stealing it,” he said. “We’ll continue to work towards that in ways that we think are constructive and productive.”

The conflict, which began following the October 2023 attacks by Hamas, has led to widespread displacement, civilian casualties, and severe restrictions on aid access.