US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will leave Saturday on a trip to Israel to offer support before French-led moves to recognize a Palestinian state, the State Department said.

Rubio is going ahead with the visit despite President Donald Trump gently reprimanding Israel for a surprise attack on Hamas on Tuesday in Qatar, a key US partner.

Rubio will speak to Israeli leaders about "our commitment to fight anti-Israel actions including unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state that rewards Hamas terrorism," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

Rubio will emphasize "the US commitment to Israeli security," Pigott said.

"He will also emphasize our shared goals: ensuring Hamas never rules over Gaza again and bringing all the hostages home," he said, adding that Rubio will meet families of hostages.

He said that Rubio would discuss Israel's........

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