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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Supports Israel’s Stance on Gaza Conflict

On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed strong support for Israel’s objectives in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, asserting that Hamas “must be eradicated.” His statements cast further uncertainty on the already tenuous ceasefire as discussions regarding its second phase remain uninitiated.

Rubio’s remarks came during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the start of a regional tour. This visit is expected to encounter resistance from Arab leaders regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal, which suggests relocating the Palestinian population from Gaza and revitalizing the area under American oversight.

Netanyahu welcomed this plan, emphasizing a shared strategic vision with Trump for Gaza. He reiterated that if Hamas fails to release numerous hostages taken during the militant group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, the situation could escalate dramatically.

The current phase of the ceasefire is scheduled to expire in two weeks, with negotiations for the subsequent phase still pending. This next phase is designed to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, alongside a proposal for a lasting truce and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, indicated a commitment to advancing the second phase of discussions, describing his recent communications with Netanyahu and mediating officials from Egypt and Qatar as “very productive.” Witkoff confirmed that the hostages expected to be freed include 19 Israeli soldiers, all believed to be alive.

In preparation for further talks, Netanyahu’s office announced a security Cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday to address upcoming negotiations. He had also directed negotiators to travel to Cairo on the same day to enhance the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire.

Potential Consequences of Resuming Hostingilities

This week marks a grim milestone of 500 days in the conflict. Netanyahu has suggested a willingness to reignite the fighting after the current ceasefire phase concludes, a strategy that could pose grave risks to the hostages still held by Hamas.

Proposed terms from Netanyahu include offering Hamas an opportunity for surrender and relocating its leaders into exile, a scenario that the group has flatly rejected. Instead, Hamas insists on establishing a Palestinian unity government or forming a technocratic committee for Gaza’s governance.

Amid these discussions, tensions persist as Hamas threatened to delay the release of hostages due to Israel’s failure to allow essential resources into Gaza as outlined in the ceasefire agreement. An Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that this matter would be addressed imminently, with America’s coordination involved in the process.

Additionally, the Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed a recent transfer of 2,000-pound MK-84 munitions from the United States, a shipment that had previously been paused due to concerns regarding civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict.

Exploring Alternatives to Military Intervention

In a recent interview, Rubio suggested that Trump’s Gaza strategy is partly intended to encourage Arab states to propose their own post-conflict solutions that would be acceptable to Israel. He also indicated a potential expectation for Arab nations to deploy troops to combat Hamas.

“If someone has a better plan, and we hope they do,” Rubio commented, “that’s great.” However, he made it clear that the responsibility to confront Hamas ultimately falls on regional actors, reiterating that American military presence should not be expected in this scenario.

The Complexities Facing Arab Leaders

For Arab leaders, the prospect of facilitating extensive Palestinian displacement or engaging in military actions against Palestinian factions poses significant risks of severe domestic backlash and could destabilize the region further.

Egypt is preparing to host an Arab summit later this month to develop a counterproposal aimed at rebuilding Gaza without displacing its population. Human rights advocates have highlighted that such mass expulsion of Palestinians would likely conflict with international law.

Moreover, Egypt has cautioned that a significant increase in Palestinian nationals crossing into their territory could jeopardize the longstanding peace agreement with Israel, which has underpinned U.S. influence in the region for decades.

Arab nations have stipulated conditions for supporting post-conflict arrangements, focusing on the restoration of Palestinian governance and a clear route towards statehood—which includes Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem areas seized by Israel in the 1967 conflict. However, Israel has dismissed the possibility of a Palestinian state and has excluded any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza following its ousting by Hamas in 2007.

Upcoming Visits by Rubio

Rubio’s diplomatic itinerary includes visits to pivotal regional nations such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, both of which have opposed the mass relocation of Palestinians. The UAE’s pivotal role in the 2020 Abraham Accords illustrates its influence, and it has been a proponent of normalizing relations between several Arab states and Israel.

However, Saudi Arabia has consistently maintained that normalization with Israel hinges on the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. Rubio’s decision to bypass Egypt and Jordan—who are steadfast allies of the U.S. and have peace agreements with Israel—reflects the complexities of regional alignments, especially given the potential implications for their economies should U.S. aid be curtailed.

Source
globalnews.ca