The U.S. State Department confirmed that Marco Rubio, secretary of state and national security advisor, will travel to Israel and the United Kingdom from Sept. 13 to 18.
Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department, stated on Friday that Rubio “will convey America’s priorities in the Israel-Hamas conflict and broader issues concerning Middle Eastern security, reaffirming U.S. commitment to Israeli security.”
Rubio “will also emphasize our shared goals: ensuring Hamas never rules over Gaza again and bringing all the hostages home,” the spokesman wrote.
This will be Rubio’s second trip to Israel this year, following his visit in February as part of a multi-country tour of the Middle East.
Pigott added that the secretary will meet with Israeli leaders to discuss “Israeli operational goals and objectives related to Operation Gideon’s Chariots II,” the large-scale offensive by the Israel Defense Forces launched last month in order to capture Gaza City and the surrounding areas.
Discussions will also center on “our commitment to fight anti-Israel actions, including unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state that rewards Hamas terrorism, and lawfare” at the International Criminal Court, which has issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and the International Court of Justice, where Israel is defending itself against charges of genocide lodged by South Africa in support of Gaza, the statement read.
Rubio will also meet with the families of hostages “and underscore that their relatives’ return remains a top priority,” Pigott wrote.
While no official schedule has been published, Rubio is expected to depart from Washington on Saturday and land in Israel on Sunday, then depart for the United Kingdom on Tuesday to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s delegation.
While in London, Rubio is set to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s delegation and meet with new U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss “preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon” and “ensuring release of all Hamas-held hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza,” among other topics.
