US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, in which he emphasized his support for Israel and promised to work to free all hostages held in captivity of the Hamas, the US State Department announced after the call on Friday morning.
Rubio began by congratulating Sa’ar on the three hostages that were released by the ceasefire agreement implemented Sunday, the State Department said.
He added that during the phone call, Rubio “pledged to work tirelessly to help free all remaining hostages held in Gaza.”
Rubio also said he “welcomed the continued flow of aid into Gaza” during the phone call.
Additionally, Rubio said he commended Sa’ar about Israel’s “successes” with the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups and the “ongoing efforts” to implement a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
According to Rubio, Israel’s ceasefire with Lebanon “made clear that the pursuit of peace in the region requires responding to the threats posed by Iran,” the State Department concluded.
Rubio calls Netanyahu
This phone call comes a day after Rubio also spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the phone.
The call was Rubio’s first with Israel since Republican President Donald Trump’s administration took office on Monday. The two also discussed Iranian and Israeli hostages in Gaza, the State Department said.
Additionally, Rubio held calls Wednesday with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the State Department said, adding the topics discussed included Gaza, Syria and Lebanon, among others.
Reuters contributed to this report.
