U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday as Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza escalated, flattening a high-rise building and killing at least 12 Palestinians.

Rubio’s two-day visit comes amid heightened tensions following Israel’s recent attack on Hamas operatives in Qatar, which disrupted efforts to broker a ceasefire. Ahead of his trip, he said he would seek clarity from Israeli officials on the way forward in Gaza. The visit also signals U.S. support for Israel as the United Nations prepares for a contentious debate on the recognition of a Palestinian state, opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The strike in Doha drew criticism from President Donald Trump, who said the U.S. had not been informed in advance. Rubio and Trump met Qatar’s prime minister on Friday to discuss the fallout, highlighting Washington’s efforts to balance relations among key Middle East allies.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes across Gaza killed at least 13 Palestinians and injured dozens more, including a family of six in Deir al-Balah who had recently fled northern Gaza. Israeli forces also demolished the Kauther Tower in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood, less than an hour after issuing an evacuation warning. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the building’s destruction.

In addition, Gaza’s health ministry reported two adult deaths from starvation in the last 24 hours, bringing malnutrition-related fatalities to 277 since June. The ongoing conflict, triggered by Hamas’ Oct 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel, has killed at least 64,803 Palestinians, displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population, and left large parts of major cities in ruins. Forty-eight hostages remain in Gaza, of whom Israel believes 20 are still alive.

The Israeli military has denied accusations of committing genocide, while residents warn of widespread destruction and forced displacement in Gaza.