The post New Secretary of State Rubio holds first call with Netanyahu: US support for Israel ‘a top priority’ appeared first on The Times of Israel.

New US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday promised steadfast support for Israel in a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu two days after President Donald Trump's inauguration.

WASHINGTON >> U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today to reiterate Washington’s support for its ally, and the two also discussed Iran and Israeli hostages in Gaza,

Rubio said the US will continue to work “tirelessly” to help free the remaining hostages in Gaza. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The secretary of state said he looked forward to "addressing the threats posed by Iran and pursuing opportunities for peace."

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a "deal to release the hostages" has been agreed. Netanyahu had delayed a cabinet vote to approve the Gaza ceasefire deal, due on Thursday, accusing Hamas of seeking last-minute changes to the agreement.

The ceasefire as agreed to in Qatar is set to last 42 days. Over that period, 33 hostages are expected to be freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, there will be a slow withdrawal of the Israeli military from urban centers in Gaza and a surge of humanitarian aid.

The first foreign leader to visit President Donald Trump at the White House in his second term will be wanted for war crimes.

MBS says he plans to invest $600b in US during 2nd Trump term; Netanyahu fields first call from new Secretary of State Rubio, who vows to 'work tirelessly' for hostages' freedom

Witnessed and recorded by an NBC News crew in Gaza, the fighters' presence at a crossing deemed vital for keeping Hamas from going into the north of Gaza raises big questions about one of Israel’s stated objectives in launching the war: eliminate the militant group behind the worst terrorist attack in Israeli history.

A truce deal which would put an end to the 15-month war in Gaza and see the release of Israeli hostages still in captivity was unveiled on Wednesday night, but last-minute snags delayed the process. Now Israel says the much-sought deal is set for approval.

President Donald Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders focused on the military, including one that directs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to revise the Pentagon’s policy on transgender