Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss challenges in Gaza and the broader Middle East, stressing Iran’s destabilizing role. Both leaders asserted a unified strategy against Hamas, with Rubio advocating for bold new approaches to Gaza’s future and Trump’s controversial plan to take ownership of the territory.
On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the Trump administration’s ambitious plan pertaining to Gaza. The two leaders expressed that Iran represents the most significant impediment to achieving peace in the region. While Netanyahu did not delve into the specifics of the President’s Gaza plans, Rubio argued against reverting to ineffective resolutions of the past in favor of innovative solutions.
Rubio stated, “The president has also been very bold about his view of what the future for Gaza should be. Not the same tired ideas of the past, but something that’s bold and something that, frankly, took courage and vision in order to outline.” He cautioned that the recurring cycle of conflict must be broken, emphasizing the need for a fresh approach to Gaza’s future.
Netanyahu asserted that both he and President Trump share a unified strategy aimed at eradicating Hamas as both a political and military entity. He forewarned that he would unleash severe consequences if Hamas fails to release all remaining hostages captured in Gaza. The conversation extended to other regional threats, including Syria’s fragile governance and Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon.
Highlighting the consistent challenges in the region, Rubio remarked, “The common theme in all these challenges is Iran. It is the single greatest source of instability in the region.” He further emphasized that an Iran possessing nuclear capabilities would be unacceptable, stating, “There can never be a nuclear Iran, a nuclear Iran that could then hold itself immune from pressure and from action. That can never happen.”
This meeting followed President Trump’s controversial proposal, which suggested relocating Palestinians from Gaza and transforming the area under U.S. management. Trump reiterated his commitment to this initiative, expressing the intention to undertake ownership and reinstatement of Gaza, asserting, “I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza.”
This meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Prime Minister Netanyahu underscored their shared concerns regarding Iran’s destabilizing influence in the Middle East and the necessity for innovative strategies concerning Gaza. With a focus on dismantling Hamas and preventing a nuclear Iran, both leaders seek to forge a path towards regional stability. President Trump’s contentious plans for Gaza continue to influence diplomatic discussions, illustrating a pivotal moment in U.S.-Israel relations.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
