Photo credit: www.cbc.ca
On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed strong support for Israel’s military objectives in the Gaza Strip, stating that Hamas must be “eradicated.” His remarks come amid concerns for the fragile ceasefire currently in place, raising questions about its future sustainability.
Rubio’s visit to Jerusalem marked the beginning of a regional tour where he is expected to encounter resistance from Arab leaders regarding President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza and develop the area under U.S. oversight.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed this proposal, emphasizing a shared vision with Trump for Gaza’s future. He echoed Trump’s sentiments, asserting that “the gates of hell would be open” unless Hamas releases the hostages taken during its October 7 attack, which sparked the ongoing conflict.
The context of these discussions is critical, as the initial phase of the ceasefire is nearing its conclusion, with the second phase involving the conditional release of hostages and negotiations for a longer-term truce still in limbo.
Rubio underscored that Hamas cannot persist as a governing entity or military force, stating, “As long as it stands as a force that can govern or threaten with violence, peace becomes impossible.” This stance complicates the potential for future dialogues with Hamas, who, despite significant losses, continues to hold power over Gaza.
Airstrike in Southern Gaza
Compounding tensions, the Israeli military reported conducting an airstrike early Sunday against individuals approaching its forces in southern Gaza. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry claimed that three of its police officers were killed in the strike while they were overseeing the entry of humanitarian aid near Rafah, close to the Egyptian border.
Hamas labeled the attack a “serious violation” of the ceasefire, accusing Netanyahu of attempting to undermine the peace negotiations. As aid trucks began to flow into Gaza under the ceasefire, the situation remains tenuous with the risk of reverting to conflict looming large.
A return to intense hostilities could have dire consequences for the remaining hostages and may not successfully dismantle Hamas, which has previously survived extensive military campaigns and rapidly reasserted control after prior ceasefires.
Netanyahu has indicated a willingness to resume military operations should the need arise, offering Hamas an opportunity to surrender in exchange for allowing its leaders to go into exile—a proposal Hamas has categorically rejected.
He has also withheld approval for essential supplies, including mobile homes and heavy machinery, required by the ceasefire agreement, heightening the risk of hostages being used as leverage in negotiations.
Recently, Hamas released three Israeli hostages under an agreement that resulted in Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, facilitated by negotiations led by Egyptian and Qatari mediators to preserve the fragile ceasefire.
U.S. Munitions Shipment Arrives
In another development, Israel’s Defense Ministry confirmed the receipt of a shipment of 900-kilogram MK-84 munitions from the United States, a delivery previously paused due to concerns over the impact on civilian populations in Gaza.
In a recent radio interview, Rubio suggested that Trump’s proposal might serve as leverage on Arab nations to formulate an alternate strategy for Gaza’s future that aligns with Israeli interests, particularly concerning the exclusion of Hamas from governance.
He hinted at the potential necessity for Arab nations to intervene militarily against Hamas, indicating, “If the countries in the region can’t figure that piece out, then Israel is going to have to do it.” Notably, Rubio’s schedule does not include meetings with Palestinian representatives during his trip.
Upcoming Arab Summit
Facing domestic backlash, Arab leaders find themselves in a challenging position regarding any support for forcing Palestinians out or combating militants in Gaza. Egypt plans to host an Arab summit on February 27 to develop counterproposals focused on rebuilding Gaza while retaining its current population, as human rights organizations warn against potential breaches of international law.
The Egyptian government has cautioned that any large-scale influx of Palestinians into its territory could jeopardize its longstanding peace treaty with Israel, a foundation of U.S. influence in the Middle East.
Thus far, Arab and Muslim nations have conditioned their support for Gaza’s future on a clear path toward Palestinian self-governance and statehood, a goal that appears increasingly unattainable as Israeli leadership rules out such prospects and any role for the Palestinian Authority, which was ousted by Hamas in 2007.
While Hamas has indicated a willingness to relinquish control, it insists on the necessity of Palestinian governance remaining intact. Rubio’s upcoming visits to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia—a significant regional players opposed to large-scale Palestinian displacement—may prove pivotal in shaping the responses of Arab countries to the ongoing conflict.
Source
www.cbc.ca