US Secretary of State Marco Rubio showed unwavering support for Israel today after meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, despite growing international anger over Israel’s air strikes on Hamas leaders in Qatar and its intensifying bombardment of Gaza City.

As the leaders of Arab and Muslim states met in the Qatari capital Doha to condemn last week’s attack on a Hamas leadership meeting there, Mr Rubio and Mr Netanyahu stood shoulder to shoulder and downplayed the outcry over the strike, even though US President Donald Trump had made clear his displeasure at Israel’s action.

The State Department said that Mr Rubio would travel to Qatar on Tuesday for a brief visit, as the US administration appears keen to ease tensions between its two close allies, before flying on to London to join Mr Trump on his state visit to Britain.

Mr Netanyahu and Mr Rubio said they agreed that the only way to end the conflict in Gaza was through the elimination of Hamas and the release of all 48 hostages, around 20 of whom are believed to be still alive.

As long as Hamas is around, “there will be no peace in this region because they are not agents of peace. They are agents of barbarism,” Mr Rubio said.

“Your presence here in Israel today is a clear message that America stands with Israel. You stand with us in the face of terror,” said Mr Netanyahu.

In Gaza City, Israel’s military continued its attacks in preparation for an occupation of the city, ordering the evacuation of another high-rise tower block, one of the tallest in the city.

In recent days, the Israeli military has destroyed many such buildings, accusing Hamas of putting surveillance equipment in them.

Air strikes overnight killed at least 12 people, including children, said health officials at Shifa hospital, where the bodies were brought.

One of Mr Rubio’s reasons for visiting Jerusalem was to show support for Israel as it expects to face growing international condemnation of the war at the forthcoming United Nations general assembly session.

A number of European countries and Canada have said they intend to recognise a Palestinian state, leading some Israeli politicians to hint that Israel could respond by annexing part of the West Bank.

At the Doha summit, Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, asked: “If Israel wishes to assassinate the Hamas leaders, why then engage in negotiations? If you wish to insist on the liberation of hostages, why then do they assassinate all negotiators?”