Rubio in Israel as strikes intensify in northern Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visit the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in the Old City of Jerusalem (Ariel Schalit/AP)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Israel for a two-day visit as its military intensified attacks on northern Gaza, flattening multiple high-rise buildings and killing at least 13 Palestinians.

Mr Rubio said ahead of the trip that he will be seeking answers from Israeli officials about how they see the way forward in Gaza following Israel’s attack on Hamas operatives in Qatar that has upended efforts to broker an end to the conflict.