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Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported Israel's goal of “eramination” Hamas in Gaza, casting it on Washington's commitment to a fragile ceasefire deal that helped brokers last month.
In collaboration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Sunday, Rubio has taken on the Hardline position, “need to release” the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza, and Palestinian extremist groups have been crushed. It has revealed that he is no longer able to control the Enclave.
“Hamas cannot continue as a military or government force.[in Gaza]. . . They need to be eliminated, [they] It must be eradicated,” Rubio said.
Rubio also mentioned President Donald Trump's recent comments on eliminating much of Gaza's population to redevelop the territory, calling it the “bold” view of its future, and so If not, they would have insisted that it would be “the same cycle.” . . I'll repeat it over and over again.”
The plan, which envisions countries that bring countries like Egypt and Jordan to Palestinians, has been rejected by most Arab leaders and is considered to be complicit in the forced displacement of Palestinians. They hate and fear that they will threaten local stability and itself. safety.
The United States, together with Egypt and Qatar, helped mediate the first 42-day ceasefire against the Gaza conflict. So far, Israelis and five Thai foreign workers have been taken hostages during Hamas' October 7 attack on the Israeli state. The ceasefire is about to enter its fifth week.
More than 70 Israelis remain in captivity, of which 14 are expected to be released in the next two weeks under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, but Israeli and US officials are currently increasing in time slots. He claims that.
“We don't support waiting a few weeks and weeks,” Rubio told CBS News, adding that the US wanted to see the undefined numbers released “as soon as possible.”
Negotiations for the second phase have not yet begun, and are delayed by two weeks due to delays in schedule. The second stage will likely require a permanent end to the war, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of the remaining hostages.
Trump's Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday that conversations will take place in undefined locations over the course of next week because they “successfully ended Phase 2.”
Netanyahu's office said after a call from Witkoff, the Prime Minister would eventually convene a security cabinet on Monday to discuss the second phase of plans. Longtime Israeli leaders are repeatedly asked to do anything but a “complete victory” over Hamas.
Standing alongside Rubio, Netanyahu still remains at all of the war goals in Gaza, including Israel “eliminating” Hamas' military capabilities, “eliminating” political control over the territory, and bringing back all hostages. I repeated that I was committed.
“President Trump and I work in full cooperation and coordination,” Netanyahu said.
“We have a common strategy and we don’t always share the details of this strategy with the public. [on Hamas] If all our hostages are not released, they will certainly be open,” he added.
Netanyahu also emphasized what he described as Trump's “a bold vision of Gaza,” and told Rubio that the two countries would “collaborate to ensure that the future becomes a reality.”
Additional Reports by James Politi of Washington
