U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has openly endorsed Israel’s military objectives in the Gaza Strip, asserting that Hamas must be entirely eliminated and casting uncertainty over the fragile ceasefire currently in place. Rubio made these remarks during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in West Jerusalem, marking the start of a regional tour. During this tour, Rubio is expected to face opposition from Arab leaders, particularly regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to displace the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip and redevelop the area under U.S. oversight. Human rights organizations have condemned this plan as a form of ethnic cleansing. Rubio praised Trump’s approach, calling it “bold” and a departure from outdated strategies, while Netanyahu also welcomed the plan, emphasizing a shared vision for Gaza’s future.
The leaders’ statements come just two weeks before the first phase of the ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza is set to expire. This war has resulted in the deaths of over 61,700 Palestinians. The second phase of the ceasefire, which involves Hamas releasing remaining captives in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners, a lasting truce, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, has yet to be negotiated. Rubio’s adamant stance that Hamas cannot continue to exist as a military or governmental force could complicate ongoing efforts to negotiate with the group. Despite suffering significant losses, Hamas remains in control of Gaza, making Rubio’s rhetoric potentially problematic for future peace talks.
U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about ongoing discussions, stating that talks on the second phase of the ceasefire would continue later in the week. He described recent calls with Netanyahu, Egypt’s intelligence director, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani as productive and constructive. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that an Israeli negotiating team would travel to Cairo for further talks on the ceasefire agreement and its implementation. However, the road ahead appears challenging, with Rubio’s strong anti-Hamas stance and Trump’s contentious plan for Gaza likely to face significant resistance.
Former U.S. diplomat Nabeel Khoury criticized Rubio for deviating from the traditional diplomatic approach of engaging with both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority. Khoury argued that Rubio’s decision to focus solely on Israel and then proceed to Arab capitals like Riyadh and the United Arab Emirates aligns with Trump’s vision of reshaping Gaza without its Palestinian population. This strategy, Khoury suggested, undermines the Palestinian Authority’s role in the region, despite its cooperation with Israel. Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan dismissed Trump’s plan as unfeasible, emphasizing the deep connection Palestinians have to their homeland. Hamdan also warned that attempts to eliminate Hamas have historically strengthened the group, a pattern he expects to continue.
Netanyahu, echoing Trump, warned of dire consequences if Hamas does not release the remaining captives abducted during its October 7, 2023 attack. He vowed that Israel, with U.S. support, would continue to combat Iran’s influence in the region, accusing Tehran of backing terrorist groups and destabilizing the Middle East. Rubio similarly singled out Iran as the primary threat to regional peace and stability. However, the fragile ceasefire in Gaza was further strained when the Israeli military carried out an airstrike near Rafah, killing three Palestinian policemen. Hamas condemned the attack as a serious violation of the ceasefire and accused Netanyahu of attempting to sabotage the agreement. Despite this, Hamdan indicated that Hamas would continue to honor the ceasefire, warning that any further Israeli aggression would come at a high cost.
In summary, the situation in Gaza remains deeply volatile, with the U.S. and Israel aligning closely on a hardline approach that risks derailing the ceasefire and intensifying regional tensions. Rubio’s endorsement of Israel’s war aims and Trump’s contentious plan for Gaza have drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian leaders and human rights groups, who view these actions as a threat to Palestinian identity and self-determination. As the ceasefire’s first phase nears its end, the international community watches anxiously, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
