U.S. Secretary Rubio stated he is en route to Israel on September 13th, 2025, with a focus on securing the return of hostages, ensuring humanitarian aid delivery to civilians, and addressing the threat posed by Hamas. The Secretary emphasized that Hamas cannot continue to exist if peace in the region is the goal. This visit occurs as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continue preparations for a significant offensive in Gaza City, with an estimated 280,000 Palestinians having evacuated the city in response to IDF evacuation orders. IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee had urged residents to relocate to designated safe zones earlier on September 13th. In parallel diplomatic activity, Qatar's Prime Minister Muhammad bin Abd a-Rahman met with Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Army Central Command (CENTCOM), in Qatar five days after an alleged Israeli assassination attempt at the locomotive, according to the Qatari Foreign Ministry. This meeting follows previous reports by journalist Yossi Yeoshua on September 13th, 2025, detailing a failed Mossad assassination attempt in Qatar involving Hamas. Yeoshua had also noted that the IDF would not conduct such an operation near an American base without updating CENTCOM, especially considering Admiral Cooper's recent visit to Israel. These developments occur within a broader context of regional tensions and security operations. IDF forces have sealed the homes of Muhammad Teh and Motna Omar, suspects in a Jerusalem attack that killed six civilians, with home demolition reportedly being considered. Additionally, open-source intelligence reported over the past hour that military units identified as "popular forces" have been mapped near Rafah, suggesting potential military formations and coordination with the Israeli army. Yair Lapid previously criticized the current government's impact on Israel's international standing, citing an Egyptian proposal for a joint Arab force and the weakening of Abraham Accords.
