U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Endorses Israel’s Conflict Aims in Gaza
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday fully endorsed Israel’s conflict aims in the Gaza Strip, saying Hamas "must be eradicated" and throwing the shaky ceasefire into further doubt as talks on its second phase are yet to begin.
Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the start of a regional tour, where he is likely to face pushback from Arab leaders over U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to transfer the Palestinian population out of Gaza and redevelop it under U.S. ownership.
Netanyahu has welcomed the plan, and said he and Trump have a "common strategy" for Gaza. Echoing Trump, he said "the gates of hell would be open" if Hamas doesn’t release dozens of remaining hostages abducted in the militant group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that triggered the 16-month conflict.
The ceasefire’s first phase is set to end in two weeks, and the second phase has yet to be negotiated, though talks were meant to begin two weeks ago. In the second phase, Hamas would release dozens of remaining hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting truce, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
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Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, told Fox News that "phase two is absolutely going to begin" and he had "very productive" calls Sunday with Netanyahu and officials from Egypt and Qatar, which serve as mediators, about continuing talks this week. He also said hostages to be released include 19 Israeli soldiers and "we believe all of them are alive."
Netanyahu’s office said Israel’s security Cabinet would meet Monday to discuss the second phase. Netanyahu also instructed negotiators to leave for Cairo on Monday to discuss further implementation of the first phase.
Resuming the conflict could doom hostages
This week marks 500 days of the conflict. Netanyahu has signaled readiness to resume the fighting after the ceasefire’s current phase, though it could be a death sentence for remaining hostages.
Arabs have limited options
For Arab leaders, facilitating the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza or battling Palestinian militants on behalf of Israel are nightmare scenarios that would bring fierce domestic criticism and potentially destabilize an already volatile region.
Rubio to visit regional heavyweights
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have rejected any mass displacement of Palestinians and would be key to any regional response. The UAE was the driving force behind the 2020 Abraham Accords in which four Arab states – Bahrain, the UAE, Morocco, and Sudan – normalized relations with Israel during Trump’s previous term. Trump hopes to expand the accords to include Saudi Arabia, potentially offering closer U.S. defense ties, but the kingdom has said that it won’t normalize relations with Israel without a pathway to a Palestinian state.
Conclusion
The conflict in Gaza continues to be a complex and sensitive issue, with both sides dug in and refusing to back down. The U.S. Secretary of State’s endorsement of Israel’s conflict aims has further complicated the situation, and it remains to be seen how the crisis will be resolved.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation in Gaza?
A: The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for 16 months, with a ceasefire in place but with no clear path to a lasting solution.
Q: What is the U.S. position on the conflict?
A: The U.S. has endorsed Israel’s conflict aims, with the Secretary of State stating that Hamas "must be eradicated."
Q: What is the plan for the second phase of the ceasefire?
A: The second phase is set to begin, with Hamas releasing dozens of remaining hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting truce, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Q: What is the reaction from Arab leaders?
A: Arab leaders have rejected any mass displacement of Palestinians and have called for a more comprehensive solution to the conflict.
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