Marco Rubio and Benjamin Netanyahu display a united stance against Hamas and Iran, demanding the elimination of Hamas as a military body. Their discussion included the consequences for hostages held in Gaza and the recent exchanges facilitated by US mediation. Trump’s warnings about escalating conflict further highlight the critical nature of these negotiations.
On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu articulated a strong alliance regarding their mutual adversaries, particularly Hamas and Iran. During a joint press conference in Jerusalem, Rubio emphasized the necessity of the complete dismantling of Hamas, stating, “Hamas cannot continue as a military or a government force … they must be eliminated.” This marks Rubio’s inaugural Middle East trip as part of the Trump administration.
Netanyahu, standing alongside Rubio, affirmed the collaborative strategy between the US and Israel, warning that “the gates of hell will be opened” should hostages held by militants in Gaza remain unreturned. This statement followed the recent exchange of hostages between Hamas and Israel, where three Israeli captives were released in return for a significant number of Palestinian prisoners, an operation facilitated by the United States in conjunction with Qatar and Egypt.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s remarks mirrored those made by former President Trump, who had alluded to a potential escalation of conflict if hostages were not released, implying dire consequences for the ongoing ceasefire negotiations. The exchange occurred just prior to Trump’s warning that he would call for the cancellation of the truce if conditions were not met.
In summary, the statements from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscore a fortified US-Israel partnership in confronting Hamas and Iran. Both leaders emphasize the importance of eliminating Hamas as a military entity while also ensuring the release of hostages from Gaza. This united front illustrates their commitment to achieving strategic objectives in the region despite ongoing tensions.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
