US Foreign Minister Calls Israel's Attack On Gaza Not A Violation Of Ceasefire

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio/PHOTO via Instagram @secrubio

JAKARTA - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington did not consider the attack Israel said targeted a member of a Palestinian militant group in Gaza as a violation of the ceasefire.

Israel attacked a member of the Hamas group on Saturday last week, accusing the individual of planning to attack Israeli troops. The group dismissed planning an attack.

"We don't consider it a violation of the ceasefire," Rubio said.

The top US diplomat said Israel had not yet surrendered its right to self-defense as part of an agreement brokered by Washington, Egypt, and Qatar that allowed major militant factions in Gaza, Hamas, to release the surviving hostages in Gaza this month.

"They have the right if there is a threat that threatens Israel, and all the mediators agree with it," Rubio said.

Rubio said the ceasefire in Gaza, which still holds between Israel and Hamas for more than two years since the war began, was based on the obligations of both sides.

The US Foreign Minister reiterated that Hamas needed to speed up the repatriation of the bodies of the hostages who died in detention.

Israel's attack on Saturday last weekend came shortly after Rubio left Israel after a visit aimed at strengthening the ceasefire.