On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated his support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza, describing it as the only feasible solution for a better regional future.
Netanyahu discussed this plan with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who, during his Middle East trip, voiced support for Israel’s military objectives in Gaza, stating that Hamas must be eliminated. This declaration further jeopardized the already fragile ceasefire, as negotiations for its second phase haven’t commenced.
During his planned visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Rubio is expected to face opposition from Arab leaders regarding Trump’s proposal, which includes the redevelopment of Gaza under U.S. control. Netanyahu has claimed that any Gaza exodus would be voluntary; however, human rights organizations and critics argue that the plan constitutes coercion given the extensive destruction in the region.
Netanyahu affirmed a shared strategy with Trump regarding Gaza. He echoed Trump’s statement that dire consequences would follow if Hamas fails to release the remaining hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the 16-month war.
The ceasefire’s initial phase concludes in two weeks. Discussions on the second phase, involving the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting truce, and Israeli troop withdrawal, were scheduled to begin two weeks ago but have yet to start.
Trump’s special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, informed Fox News that the second phase will commence and that he had productive conversations on Sunday with Netanyahu and officials from Egypt and Qatar (mediators) regarding continued discussions this week. He also stated that among the hostages are 19 Israeli soldiers, and he believes they are all alive.
Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel’s security cabinet will convene on Monday to address the second phase.
Further illustrating the strengthening alliance, Israel’s Defense Ministry reported receiving a shipment of 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) MK-84 munitions from the United States. The Biden administration had previously halted a similar shipment last year due to concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza.
Resuming the war could doom hostages
This week marks 500 days since the war began. Netanyahu has indicated a willingness to resume hostilities after the current ceasefire phase, although this could result in the death of the remaining hostages.
Rubio asserted that peace is unattainable as long as Hamas maintains the capacity to govern, administer, or threaten violence; therefore, it must be eliminated.
Hamas regained control of Gaza upon the ceasefire’s commencement last month, despite substantial losses.
Netanyahu offered Hamas a surrender option, proposing exile for its leaders. Hamas rejected this, demanding Palestinian rule. Spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou informed the Associated Press that the group accepts either a Palestinian unity government or a technocratic committee to administer Gaza.
Netanyahu instructed negotiators to depart for Cairo on Monday to discuss the first phase’s further implementation, as issues concerning the delivery of shelter materials persist.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported an airstrike on individuals who approached its forces in southern Gaza. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry stated that three of its police officers were killed while securing the entry of aid trucks near Rafah, on the Egyptian border.
‘If someone has a better plan … that’s great’
In a recent interview, Rubio hinted that Trump’s Gaza proposal partially aimed to pressure Arab states into presenting a post-war plan acceptable to Israel.
Rubio also seemed to suggest that Arab countries should deploy troops to combat Hamas.
“If the Arab countries have a better plan, then that’s great,” Rubio stated Thursday on the “Clay and Buck Show.”
However, he added, “Hamas has guns. Someone has to confront those guys. It’s not going to be American soldiers. And if the countries in the region can’t figure that piece out, then Israel is going to have to do it.”
Rubio’s itinerary did not include meetings with Palestinians.
Arabs have limited options
For Arab leaders, facilitating the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza or engaging in combat against Palestinian militants on behalf of Israel are highly problematic scenarios, potentially leading to severe domestic backlash and regional instability.
Egypt is hosting an Arab summit on February 27 and is collaborating with other nations on an alternative proposal that would allow for Gaza’s reconstruction without population displacement. Human rights groups contend that such an expulsion would violate international law.
Egypt has cautioned that a mass influx of Palestinians from Gaza could jeopardize its nearly half-century-old peace treaty with Israel, a cornerstone of U.S. influence in the region.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have also rejected any mass displacement of Palestinians.
The UAE spearheaded the 2020 Abraham Accords, in which four Arab states—Bahrain, the UAE, Morocco, and Sudan—normalized relations with Israel during Trump’s previous term. Trump hopes to expand these accords to include Saudi Arabia, possibly offering closer U.S. defense ties; however, the kingdom has stated that normalization of relations with Israel hinges on a pathway to a Palestinian state.
Rubio will not be visiting Egypt or Jordan, close U.S. allies at peace with Israel that have refused to accept any influx of Palestinian refugees. Trump has suggested potential cuts to U.S. aid if they do not comply, which could severely harm their economies.
Rubio is also skipping Qatar.
Arab and Muslim countries have conditioned any post-war support for Gaza on a return to Palestinian governance with a pathway to statehood in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem—territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
Israel has ruled out a Palestinian state and any role for the Western-backed Palestinian Authority in Gaza, whose forces were ousted when Hamas seized power in 2007.
—Natalie Melzer reported from Nahariya, Israel. Samy Magdy contributed to this report from Cairo.