Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani discussed on Tuesday defense cooperation with top US diplomat Marco Rubio during his visit to Doha after Israel’s attack on Hamas political leaders in Doha last week, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson said.

“This (Israeli) attack, of course, expedites the need for a renewed strategic defense agreement between us and the United States. It’s not something new per se, but certainly expedited,” spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said in a briefing after Rubio’s visit.

When asked about the mediation efforts in light of the Doha attack, al-Ansari said: “Our focus right now is protecting our sovereignty and we will not look into other issues until this one is resolved.”

Rubio met with Sheikh Tamim a week after Israeli air strikes targeted Hamas leaders in the emirate. The top US diplomat, on a brief stop in Doha, shook hands with Sheikh Tamim in his office before entering closed-door talks with his aides.

The Amiri Diwan, or Emir’s Office, said in a later statement that the emir discussed with Rubio the future of joint diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and release Israeli hostages held in the enclave, as well as Palestinian prisoners.

The two also discussed the repercussions of the Israeli attack in Doha, the Emir’s Office added.

The state department said in a statement that Rubio “reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Qatar, and thanked Qatar for its efforts to end the war in Gaza and bring all hostages home.”

“The Secretary reiterated America’s strong support for Qatar’s security and sovereignty, and discussed our shared commitment to a safer, more stable region,” Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.

Rubio, who landed in Qatar as Israel carried out major new strikes in Gaza, was pessimistic about a ceasefire deal but said Qatar was in a unique position to help.

“We’re going to ask Qatar to continue to do what they’ve done, and we appreciate very much, and that is, play a constructive role in trying to bring this to an end,” Rubio told reporters as he flew out of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport to Doha.

“Obviously they have to decide if they want to do that after last week or not, but we want them to know that if there’s any country in the world that could help end this through a negotiation, it’s Qatar,” he said.

Rubio landed in Qatar a day after an Arab-Islamic summit in Doha condemned Israel for the strikes, which have strained relations between the Gulf Arab states and the United States.

In Doha on Monday, the head of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council urged Washington to “use its leverage and influence” to rein in Israel.

Rubio said the United States would work with Qatar to finalize a defense agreement soon despite the Israeli military action.

President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “won’t be hitting” Qatar again.