Rubio Says US and Qatar Nearing Defense Deal Amid Hamas Mediation Talks

Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed Tuesday that the United States and Qatar are on the brink of finalizing a new defense cooperation agreement, highlighting the Gulf state's central role in brokering diplomacy between Israel and Hamas even as tensions soar following Israel’s recent precision strikes on Hamas leaders inside Qatari territory.

Rubio, speaking from Jerusalem after high-level talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, acknowledged Qatar’s frustration over the Israeli operation but framed Doha as "the only country in the world" capable of mediating between the Jewish state and the Iran-backed terror group.

"We understand they’re not happy about what happened," Rubio told Fox News, referencing Israel’s strike on Hamas figures reportedly hiding in Qatar.

Despite the diplomatic dust-up, Rubio emphasized the importance of maintaining and deepening U.S.-Qatar ties, citing ongoing work on a major defense cooperation pact.

“We have a close partnership with the Qataris,” he said. “In fact, we have an enhanced defense cooperation agreement, which we’ve been working on and we’re on the verge of finalizing.”

The statement comes at a critical juncture in Middle East diplomacy, where Israel’s post-October 7 crackdown on Hamas continues to intensify. Last week’s targeted operation in Qatar which drew condemnation from the United Nations underscored the Jewish state’s refusal to allow terror leaders safe haven, even in so-called neutral countries.

Rubio made clear: the United States supports Israel’s right to defend itself, but also sees Qatar as a unique conduit for de-escalation, especially in hostage negotiations and efforts to dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure.

“If any country can mediate, it’s Qatar,” Rubio said. “There’s no other country in the world that can play that role.”

Still, time is running out.

Rubio warned that the window for diplomacy is rapidly closing, citing ongoing rocket fire from Gaza and the international community’s growing impatience.

“We don’t have months anymore. We probably have days, maybe a few weeks,” he said.

He stressed that the ideal outcome would be a negotiated resolution in which Hamas would agree to fully demilitarize, release all hostages, and disband its terror operations an outcome viewed as highly unlikely without extreme pressure.

Rubio’s approach reflects a careful balancing act: holding the line on U.S.-Israeli security cooperation, while keeping Qatar a nation that openly hosts Hamas’ political leadership in the diplomatic loop. It's a strategy born out of realpolitik, not blind optimism.

And while critics might balk at granting Doha such leverage, Rubio’s stance signals a sobering reality: the road to neutralizing Hamas may run through Qatar, whether we like it or not.

In the meantime, finalizing the U.S.-Qatar defense agreement would give Washington additional leverage and military coordination in a region where influence matters just as much as firepower.

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