U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Says Hamas Must Be Eradicated

In a significant move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated on Sunday that he intends to pursue U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal for the relocation of the Palestinian population from Gaza, describing it as “the only feasible plan for a new future” in the region.

During discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who began a Middle East tour by voicing support for Israel’s military objectives in Gaza and asserting that Hamas “must be eradicated,” doubts grew around the fragile ceasefire, especially since negotiations for its subsequent phase have yet to commence.

As Rubio prepares to visit Saudi Arabia and the UAE, he is expected to encounter significant resistance from Arab leaders regarding Trump’s proposal, which involves the redevelopment of Gaza under U.S. oversight. While Netanyahu claims that any emigration from Gaza should be “voluntary,” human rights organizations and critics argue that the plan effectively amounts to coercion in light of the extensive devastation in the territory.

Netanyahu stated that he and Trump share a “unified strategy” for Gaza. He echoed Trump’s sentiment that “the gates of hell would be opened” if Hamas does not release the many hostages taken during the militant group’s assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, an event that sparked a 16-month-long conflict.

The initial phase of the ceasefire is set to conclude in two weeks. Negotiations for the second phase were supposed to start two weeks prior, focusing on the release of numerous hostages held by Hamas in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a sustainable truce, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special Middle East envoy, assured Fox News that “phase two is definitely going to commence” and reported that he had “very productive” discussions on Sunday with Netanyahu and mediators from Egypt and Qatar about continuing negotiations this week. He also mentioned that among the hostages to be released are 19 Israeli soldiers, and “we believe all of them are alive.”

According to Netanyahu’s office, Israel’s security Cabinet is scheduled to convene on Monday to deliberate on the second phase of the conflict.

In a related development, Israel’s Defense Ministry announced the receipt of a shipment of 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) MK-84 munitions from the United States. This shipment comes after the Biden administration halted similar deliveries last year due to concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza.

Resuming hostilities could jeopardize hostages

As the conflict reaches the 500-day mark, Netanyahu has indicated a willingness to renew military operations following the current phase of the ceasefire, which could endanger the lives of the remaining hostages.

Rubio remarked that achieving peace is unattainable while Hamas “remains a governing force capable of administering or threatening with violence,” emphasizing that it must be eliminated.

Despite suffering substantial losses, Hamas has managed to reassert its control over Gaza since the ceasefire commenced last month.

Netanyahu has offered Hamas an opportunity to surrender, proposing that key leaders be sent into exile. However, Hamas has rejected this offer, insisting on Palestinian governance. Spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou stated that the group is open to a Palestinian unity government or a technocratic committee to oversee Gaza.

In light of ongoing issues concerning the delivery of shelter materials, Netanyahu has instructed negotiators to travel to Cairo on Monday to discuss the further implementation of the ceasefire’s first phase.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported conducting an airstrike against individuals approaching its forces in southern Gaza. In response, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry confirmed the deaths of three police officers while they were securing the entry of aid trucks near Rafah, close to the Egyptian border.

‘If anyone has a better plan … that’s excellent’

In a recent interview, Rubio suggested that Trump’s plan for Gaza is partially intended to encourage Arab nations to formulate their own postwar strategies that would be acceptable to Israel.

He also implied that Arab nations should consider sending troops to confront Hamas.

“If the Arab countries have a more effective plan, then that’s fantastic,” Rubio stated on the “Clay and Buck Show.”

However, he added, “Hamas is armed,” and emphasized that “someone needs to confront them. It won’t be U.S. soldiers. If countries in the region can’t address that issue, then Israel will have to take action.”

Notably, Rubio’s itinerary does not include meetings with Palestinians during this trip.

Limited options for Arab leaders

For Arab leaders, facilitating the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza or engaging in military action against Palestinian militants on behalf of Israel presents daunting challenges that could provoke severe domestic backlash and destabilize an already tense region.

Egypt is set to host an Arab summit on February 27 and is collaborating with other nations to develop a counterproposal that would enable Gaza’s reconstruction without displacing its residents. Human rights advocates assert that such expulsions would likely contravene international law.

Egypt has cautioned that a mass influx of Palestinians from Gaza could undermine its longstanding peace treaty with Israel, a key element of U.S. influence in the region.

Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have also expressed their opposition to any mass displacement of Palestinians.

The UAE played a pivotal role in the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw four Arab nations—Bahrain, the UAE, Morocco, and Sudan—normalize relations with Israel during Trump’s prior administration. Trump aims to expand these accords to include Saudi Arabia, potentially offering enhanced U.S. defense ties, but the kingdom has stated it will not normalize relations with Israel without a viable pathway to Palestinian statehood.

Rubio’s trip will not include visits to Egypt or Jordan, both close U.S. allies that maintain peace with Israel and have refused to accept any influx of Palestinian refugees. Trump has suggested the possibility of cutting U.S. aid to these nations if they do not comply, which could have severe ramifications for their economies.

Rubio will also not be visiting Qatar.

Arab and Muslim countries have indicated that their support for postwar Gaza is contingent upon a return to Palestinian governance with a clear pathway to statehood encompassing Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem—territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war.

Israel has dismissed the idea of a Palestinian state and any role for the Western-backed Palestinian Authority in Gaza, which was ousted when Hamas took control in 2007.

—Natalie Melzer reported from Nahariya, Israel. Samy Magdy contributed to this report from Cairo.