U.S. Secretary of StateMarco Rubioon Saturday said that the U.S., Israel and other mediators of the Gazapeace dealhad shared intelligence to avoid a possible attack last weekend and would do so going forward.
"We put out a message throughState Department, sent it to our mediators as well, about an impending attack, and it didn’t happen," he told reporters while flying from Israel to Qatar. "So that’s the goal here, is ultimately to identify a threat before it happens."
This comes a week after the State Department said it had"credible reports"that Hamas was planning an attack on Palestinian civilians in violation of the agreement.
Rubio said Saturday the U.S. has talked with countries like Qatar, Egypt and Turkey who are interested in contributing to aninternational stabilization force in the region. He added that Indonesia and Azerbaijan are also interested.
But, he said, "Many of the countries who want to be a part of it can’t do it without" aUnited Nations resolutionsupporting the force.
Rubio also met with PresidentDonald Trumpin Qatar ahead of the president'sAsian tour.
Vice PresidentJD Vancewas also in Israel earlier this week along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner in an attempt to solidify theceasefire deal, which took effect earlier this month.
TRUMP DIRECTED ENVOY TO WARN QATAR AHEAD OF 'UNFORTUNATE' ISRAELI STRIKE, WHITE HOUSE SAYS
Next week, Rubio said the chairmanof the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, is expected to travel to Israel as well.
Trump thanked Qatar for their part in helping secure the peace deal while meeting with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thanimet and Qatar Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
"This should be an enduring peace," Trump told reporters of the deal.
Hisvisit to Qatarwas part of a refueling stop before heading on to Asia.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
