In a pivotal development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday his intention to advance U.S. President Donald Trump’s contentious proposal aimed at relocating the Palestinian population from Gaza. Netanyahu characterized this initiative as “the sole viable plan for a new future” in the region.
During a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is currently on a tour of the Middle East, support for Israel’s military objectives in Gaza was reiterated, with Rubio emphasizing the necessity of eradicating Hamas. This has raised concerns about the tenuous ceasefire, particularly since discussions regarding its next phase have not yet begun.
As Rubio prepares to visit Saudi Arabia and the UAE, he is likely to face considerable opposition from Arab leaders concerning Trump’s proposal, which entails the redevelopment of Gaza under U.S. supervision. While Netanyahu insists that any emigration from Gaza should be “voluntary,” human rights advocates and critics argue that the situation in the area renders such emigration effectively coercive.
Netanyahu remarked that he and Trump share a “cohesive strategy” for Gaza, echoing Trump’s assertion that “the gates of hell would be opened” should Hamas fail to release the numerous hostages taken during the militant group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This incident triggered a conflict lasting over 16 months.
The first phase of the ceasefire is set to wrap up in two weeks. Negotiations for the subsequent phase were scheduled to commence two weeks ago, focusing on the exchange of numerous hostages held by Hamas for more Palestinian prisoners, a sustainable ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, assured Fox News that “phase two is certainly going to proceed” and stated that he had “very fruitful” discussions on Sunday with Netanyahu and mediators from Egypt and Qatar about continuing negotiations this week. He also mentioned that among the hostages expected to be released are 19 Israeli soldiers, all believed to be alive.
Netanyahu’s office has announced that Israel’s security Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the next phase of the ongoing conflict.
In another development, Israel’s Defense Ministry confirmed the arrival of a shipment of 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) MK-84 munitions from the United States. This shipment follows a previous halt by the Biden administration concerning similar deliveries, due to worries about civilian casualties in Gaza.
Renewed hostilities may threaten hostages
As the conflict approaches the 500-day milestone, Netanyahu has expressed a willingness to resume military operations after the current ceasefire phase, which could jeopardize the safety of the remaining hostages.
Rubio stated that attaining peace is impossible while Hamas “remains a governing entity capable of administering or threatening violence,” stressing that it must be dismantled.
Despite facing significant losses, Hamas has managed to reassert its authority over Gaza since the ceasefire began last month.
Netanyahu has proposed that Hamas surrender, suggesting that key leaders could be exiled. However, Hamas has dismissed this offer, maintaining its demand for Palestinian governance. Spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou indicated that the group is amenable to a Palestinian unity government or a technocratic body to manage Gaza.
In light of ongoing complications regarding the delivery of shelter materials, Netanyahu has directed negotiators to head to Cairo on Monday to discuss further steps for implementing the initial phase of the ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported conducting an airstrike against individuals approaching its forces in southern Gaza. In response, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry confirmed the deaths of three police officers who were securing the entry of aid trucks near Rafah, close to the Egyptian border.
‘If anyone has a better plan … that’s great’
In a recent interview, Rubio suggested that Trump’s proposal for Gaza is partially designed to motivate Arab nations to formulate their own postwar strategies that would be amenable to Israel.
He also hinted that Arab nations should contemplate deploying troops to confront Hamas.
“If the Arab countries have a more effective plan, then that’s excellent,” Rubio expressed on the “Clay and Buck Show.”
However, he added, “Hamas is armed,” and emphasized that “someone needs to confront them. It won’t be U.S. soldiers. If countries in the region can’t address that issue, then Israel will have to act.”
It is noteworthy that Rubio’s agenda does not include any meetings with Palestinians during this trip.
Limited choices for Arab leaders
Facilitating the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza or engaging in military action against Palestinian militants on behalf of Israel poses significant challenges for Arab leaders, potentially inciting severe domestic backlash and further destabilizing an already volatile region.
Egypt is set to host an Arab summit on February 27 and is collaborating with other nations to devise a counterproposal aimed at enabling the reconstruction of Gaza without displacing its inhabitants. Human rights advocates assert that such expulsions would likely violate international law.
Egypt has warned that a mass influx of Palestinians from Gaza could jeopardize its longstanding peace treaty with Israel, which is a cornerstone 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 crucial 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 strengthened U.S. defense partnerships, but the kingdom has stated it will not normalize relations with Israel without a viable pathway to Palestinian statehood.
Rubio’s itinerary does not involve visits to Egypt or Jordan, both close U.S. allies that maintain peace with Israel and have declined to accept any influx of Palestinian refugees. Trump has suggested the potential for 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 hinges on a return to Palestinian governance with a clear pathway to statehood encompassing Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem—territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war.
Israel has dismissed the prospect 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.
