JERUSALEM — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday as the Israeli military escalated its attacks on northern Gaza. The strikes resulted in the destruction of high-rise buildings and the deaths of at least 13 Palestinians, according to local hospitals.

Rubio's visit comes in the wake of Israel's recent military action against Hamas leaders in Qatar, which disrupted ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. He stated that he aims to gather insights from Israeli officials regarding the future of Gaza. This two-day trip also serves as a demonstration of support for Israel, which faces increasing isolation as the United Nations prepares for a contentious debate on Palestinian statehood.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed strong opposition to the recognition of a Palestinian state. Rubio's visit proceeded despite President Donald Trump's dissatisfaction with Netanyahu over the Israeli strike in Doha, which Trump claimed the U.S. was not informed about in advance. On Friday, Rubio and Trump met with Qatar's prime minister to discuss the implications of the Israeli operation.

The recent attack in Doha appears to have halted attempts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as the release of hostages, ahead of the upcoming U.N. General Assembly session, where the Gaza conflict is expected to be a focal point.

On Sunday, Israeli airstrikes targeted various locations in Gaza, including a vehicle near Shifa hospital and a tent in Deir al-Balah, resulting in multiple casualties. Among the deceased were six members of the same family, including two parents and their three children, who had recently fled from Gaza City.

The Israeli military has not commented on the specific strikes. However, it has been reported that the military destroyed a high-rise building in Gaza City shortly after issuing an evacuation order. Residents noted that the Kauther tower in the Rimal neighborhood was completely demolished.

Abed Ismail, a resident of Gaza City, condemned the strikes, stating, "This is part of the genocidal measures the (Israeli) occupation is carrying out in Gaza City. They want to turn the whole city into rubble, and force the transfer and another Nakba." The term "Nakba" refers to the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 war surrounding the establishment of Israel.

Israel has consistently denied allegations of genocide in Gaza.

In a separate report, the Gaza health ministry announced that two adults died from malnutrition and starvation in the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of malnutrition-related deaths to 277 since late June, with an additional 145 children reported to have died from similar causes since the onset of the current conflict in October 2023.

The ongoing war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. Currently, 48 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, Israel's retaliatory actions have resulted in the deaths of at least 64,871 Palestinians, though the ministry does not specify how many were civilians or combatants. It is reported that around half of those killed are women and children, and approximately 90% of the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced.