In a notable 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 labeled this initiative as “the only viable plan for a new future” in the region.
In meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is on a Middle East tour, support for Israel’s military goals in Gaza was reiterated. Rubio emphasized the need for the eradication of Hamas, raising concerns about the already fragile ceasefire, especially since talks for its next phase have yet to begin.
As Rubio prepares to visit Saudi Arabia and the UAE, he is likely to face considerable pushback from Arab leaders regarding Trump’s proposal, which suggests a redevelopment of Gaza under U.S. supervision. While Netanyahu asserts that any relocation from Gaza should be “voluntary,” critics and human rights organizations argue that the plan could be perceived as coercive given the widespread devastation in the region.
Netanyahu stated that he and Trump are aligned in their approach to Gaza, echoing Trump’s warning that “the gates of hell would be opened” if Hamas does not release the numerous hostages taken during the group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered a protracted conflict lasting 16 months.
The current phase of the ceasefire is set to conclude in two weeks, with negotiations for the next phase originally intended to begin earlier. These talks are expected to focus on the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a sustainable ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, assured Fox News that “phase two is definitely going to commence” and reported having “very productive” discussions with Netanyahu and mediators from Egypt and Qatar about continuing negotiations this week. He mentioned that among the hostages expected to be released are 19 Israeli soldiers, all of whom are believed to be alive.
According to Netanyahu’s office, Israel’s security Cabinet plans to meet on Monday to discuss the next steps in the ongoing conflict.
In related news, Israel’s Defense Ministry confirmed the arrival of a shipment of 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) MK-84 munitions from the United States, following a pause on similar deliveries last year due to concerns regarding civilian casualties in Gaza.
Resuming military actions could threaten hostages
As the conflict approaches its 500th day, Netanyahu has expressed a readiness to resume military operations after the ceasefire phase, which could put the lives of remaining hostages at risk.
Rubio argued that lasting peace cannot be achieved while Hamas “continues to hold power and poses a threat through violence,” insisting that the group must be dismantled.
Despite suffering significant losses, Hamas has managed to regain control over Gaza following the start of the ceasefire last month.
Netanyahu has offered Hamas the option to surrender, suggesting that key leaders should go into exile. However, Hamas has rejected this proposition, advocating for Palestinian governance instead. Spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou stated that the group is open to forming a Palestinian unity government or establishing a technocratic committee to oversee Gaza.
In response to ongoing issues with the delivery of shelter materials, Netanyahu has directed negotiators to Cairo on Monday to discuss implementing the first phase of the ceasefire further.
In the meantime, the Israeli military reported conducting an airstrike against individuals approaching its forces in southern Gaza. In turn, 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 excellent’
In a recent interview, Rubio suggested that Trump’s Gaza plan is partly aimed at motivating Arab nations to develop their own postwar strategies that would be acceptable to Israel.
He also hinted that Arab nations should contemplate sending troops to counter Hamas.
“If the Arab countries can propose a more effective plan, that’s fantastic,” Rubio noted during the “Clay and Buck Show.”
However, he emphasized that “Hamas is heavily armed,” and asserted, “someone needs to confront them. It won’t be U.S. soldiers. If regional countries cannot tackle this issue, then Israel will have to take action.”
It is noteworthy that Rubio’s itinerary excludes meetings with Palestinians during this trip.
Limited options for Arab leaders
For Arab leaders, facilitating the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza or taking military action against Palestinian militants on behalf of Israel poses substantial challenges that could elicit severe domestic backlash and destabilize an already volatile region.
Egypt is set to host an Arab summit on February 27 and is working with other nations to formulate a counterproposal that would allow for Gaza’s reconstruction without displacing its residents. Human rights advocates argue that such expulsions would likely violate international law.
Egypt has warned that a mass influx of Palestinians from Gaza could jeopardize its long-standing peace treaty with Israel, a critical aspect 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 resulted in four Arab nations—Bahrain, the UAE, Morocco, and Sudan—normalizing relations with Israel during Trump’s previous administration. Trump aims to expand these accords to include Saudi Arabia, potentially enhancing U.S. defense ties, but the kingdom has stated it will not normalize relations with Israel without a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood.
Rubio’s trip will not include visits to Egypt or Jordan, both close U.S. allies that maintain peace with Israel and have refused to accept any influx of Palestinian refugees. Trump has suggested the possibility of cutting U.S. aid to these nations if they do not comply, which could have dire consequences for their economies.
Additionally, Rubio will not be visiting Qatar.
Arab and Muslim countries have indicated that their support for the postwar reconstruction of Gaza hinges on a return to Palestinian governance, with a clear pathway to statehood that includes Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem—territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war.
Israel has dismissed the notion of a Palestinian state and any role for the Western-backed Palestinian Authority in Gaza, which lost power when Hamas took control in 2007.
—Natalie Melzer reported from Nahariya, Israel. Samy Magdy contributed to this report from Cairo.
