Qatar and the US are close to finalising a defence pact as tensions rise over an Israeli strike in Doha. Trump reassures Qatar, while Rubio calls it key to mediating a Gaza ceasefire.

Qatar and the United States are on the verge of finalising an enhanced defence cooperation agreement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday while departing Tel Aviv for Doha.Rubio is visiting the Middle East amid heightened tensions after Israel attacked Hamas political leaders in Qatar last week drawing widespread criticism.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed U.S. relationships with Israel and Arab states during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Qatar official also says his nation was grateful when the Trump administration joined other countries in condemning the Israeli airstrike on Qatari soil last week.

Arab and Muslim leaders called for a review of ties with Israel after emergency talks in Doha on Monday following last week's deadly strike on Hamas members in the Qatari capital.Hamas says top officials survived last week's air strike in Doha,