Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that a visit to Israel by top US diplomat Marco Rubio underscored the strength of ties between the allies, days after an unprecedented Israeli strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar drew broad criticism.

President Donald Trump rebuked Israel over the attack in Doha on Tuesday, but before departing Washington on Saturday, Rubio told reporters that while Trump was "not happy" about the strike, it was "not going to change the nature of our relationship with the Israelis".

Nevertheless, the attack has put renewed strain on efforts towards a truce in Gaza, and Rubio acknowledged that the United States and Israel were "going to have to talk about" its impact.

Trump met on Friday with Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Than

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