U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Says Hamas Must Be Eradicated – Casson Living – World News, Breaking News, International News

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Says Hamas Must Be Eradicated – Casson Living – World News, Breaking News, International News

In a notable development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday his intention to explore U.S. President Donald Trump’s contentious proposal aimed at relocating the Palestinian population from Gaza. He characterized it as “the sole viable plan for a new future” in the region.

Amid talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently began a tour of the Middle East by expressing support for Israel’s military goals in Gaza and asserting the need to eradicate Hamas, concerns arose over the tenuous ceasefire. This unease was heightened by the fact that discussions for its next phase have not yet begun.

As Rubio prepares for visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, he is likely to face considerable opposition from Arab leaders regarding Trump’s plan for Gaza’s redevelopment under American supervision. While Netanyahu maintains that any relocation from Gaza should be “voluntary,” critics and human rights advocates argue that the proposal essentially constitutes coercion, given the widespread destruction in the area.

Netanyahu stated that he and Trump are aligned in their approach to Gaza. He echoed Trump’s warning that “the gates of hell would be opened” if Hamas fails to release the numerous hostages taken during the militant group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered a prolonged conflict lasting 16 months.

The initial phase of the ceasefire is set to end in two weeks, but negotiations for the next phase were expected to have started two weeks ago, focusing on the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting truce, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, assured Fox News that “phase two is definitely going to begin” and noted that he had “very productive” talks with Netanyahu and mediators from Egypt and Qatar about continuing discussions this week. He indicated that among the hostages expected 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 meet on Monday to discuss the second phase of the ongoing conflict.

In another development, Israel’s Defense Ministry reported receiving a shipment of 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) MK-84 munitions from the United States. This delivery follows a halt by the Biden administration on similar shipments last year, citing concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza.

Resuming hostilities could jeopardize hostages

As the conflict approaches its 500-day milestone, Netanyahu has expressed readiness to resume military operations once the current phase of the ceasefire concludes, a move that could threaten the safety of the remaining hostages.

Rubio has stated that achieving peace is impossible as long as Hamas “continues to govern and threaten with violence,” reiterating the necessity for its elimination.

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

Netanyahu has extended an offer for Hamas to surrender, suggesting that key leaders could be sent into exile. However, Hamas has turned down this proposal, insisting on maintaining Palestinian governance. Spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou mentioned that the group is open to forming a Palestinian unity government or a technocratic committee to oversee Gaza.

In response to ongoing issues regarding the supply of construction materials, Netanyahu has directed negotiators to travel to Cairo on Monday to discuss the further implementation of the ceasefire’s initial phase.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported conducting an airstrike on individuals approaching its forces in southern Gaza. In response, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry confirmed that three police officers were killed 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 Gaza plan is partially aimed at motivating Arab nations to develop their own postwar strategies that would be acceptable to Israel.

He also hinted that Arab nations might consider deploying troops to confront Hamas.

“If the Arab countries can come up with a more effective plan, that’s fantastic,” Rubio remarked on the “Clay and Buck Show.”

However, he added, “Hamas is armed,” stressing that “someone has to confront them. It won’t be U.S. soldiers. If neighboring countries can’t handle that issue, then Israel will have to take action.”

Notably, Rubio’s itinerary for this trip does not include meetings with Palestinian leaders.

Limited options for Arab leaders

For Arab leaders, facilitating the large-scale expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza or engaging in military actions against Palestinian militants on behalf of Israel poses significant challenges that could lead to severe domestic backlash and further destabilize an already tense region.

Egypt is preparing to host an Arab summit on February 27 and is collaborating with other nations to create a counterproposal that would allow for Gaza’s reconstruction without displacing its residents. Human rights advocates argue that such expulsions would likely violate international law.

Egypt has warned that a mass influx of Palestinians from Gaza could jeopardize its long-standing peace treaty with Israel, a crucial aspect of U.S. influence in the region.

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

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

Rubio’s trip will not encompass 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 dire consequences for their economies.

Rubio will also not be visiting Qatar.

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

Israel has dismissed the notion 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.

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