The United States and Israel have once again reaffirmed their hardline stance against Hamas and Iran, with top US diplomat Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning of severe consequences if hostages held in Gaza are not released.
During a press conference in Jerusalem, where Rubio began his first Middle East visit as the newly appointed US Secretary of State under President Donald Trump’s administration, both leaders emphasized their commitment to eradicating Hamas and countering Iran’s influence in the region.
“Hamas cannot continue as a military or a government force… they must be eliminated,” Rubio declared, referring to the Palestinian Islamist group that engaged in a prolonged conflict with Israel for over 15 months before a fragile ceasefire took effect on January 19. He also labeled Iran as the “single greatest source of instability in the region,” reinforcing Washington’s longstanding position on Tehran’s role in Middle Eastern conflicts.
Standing alongside Rubio, Netanyahu echoed the US diplomat’s sentiments, stating that Israel and America share a “common strategy” in dealing with regional threats. He issued a dire warning that “the gates of hell will be opened” if Hamas does not release all hostages still in captivity. Netanyahu further assured that with unwavering support from the Trump administration, “I have no doubt that we can and will finish the job” against Iran.
His remarks mirrored comments made by Trump ahead of a recent prisoner exchange with Hamas, in which the US president warned that “all hell” would break loose if the hostages were not freed as expected.
The discussions in Jerusalem also touched on Trump’s controversial vision for the future of Gaza. Netanyahu stated that he and Rubio had deliberated on the US president’s proposal, vowing to work towards making it a reality. While the plan remains vague, Trump had previously suggested relocating Gaza’s more than two million residents to Jordan or Egypt, claiming that Palestinians had “lived a miserable existence” and proposing to redevelop the coastal enclave into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Washington, Israel’s top ally and military supporter, has indicated openness to alternative solutions from Arab states, but Rubio insisted that “the only plan is the Trump plan” for now.
However, Trump’s proposal has faced broad international criticism. Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, have reiterated their support for a two-state solution that would see the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reaffirmed on Sunday that creating a Palestinian state is “the only guarantee” of lasting peace in the region.
