Israel’s prime minister has declared he is striving to transform US President Donald Trump’s proposal to evacuate and relocate Gaza’s inhabitants “into reality.”
Benjamin Netanyahu stated he was collaborating with the US on a “shared strategy” for the Palestinian territory following a discussion with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem on Sunday.
The dialogue follows Trump’s suggestion of a US-administered Gaza and the displacement of its two million Palestinian residents to neighboring nations.
The United Nations has cautioned that any involuntary removal of civilians from occupied land is categorically forbidden under international law and equates to “ethnic cleansing.”
America’s top diplomat noted that Trump’s proposal might have “startled and astonished” observers, but praised the “boldness” of introducing an alternative to the “outdated approaches” of prior peace initiatives.
Netanyahu mentioned he and Rubio deliberated on strategies to actualize Trump’s vision, highlighting the US-Israel alignment on Gaza’s future.
The Israeli premier cautioned that the “gates of hell” would open unless all Israeli captives held by Hamas were freed.
“Hamas cannot persist as a military or governing entity,” Rubio emphasized. “As long as it retains authority or poses a violent threat, lasting peace remains unattainable.”
The Israeli army initiated a military operation to eliminate Hamas following an unprecedented cross-border incursion on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals.
The conflict has led to massive destruction in Gaza, where more than 48,200 lives have been lost in the 16-month war, per figures from the Hamas-controlled health ministry.
Most of Gaza’s inhabitants have been repeatedly displaced, with nearly 70% of infrastructure reportedly damaged or demolished, while healthcare, water access, and sanitation services have collapsed—alongside dire shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter.
Palestinian and Arab officials have largely dismissed Trump’s Gaza plan, with both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas insisting that “Palestinian land is not up for negotiation.”
Unlike earlier US peace negotiations, Rubio did not engage with any Palestinian leaders regarding Gaza’s future.
At a joint press briefing on Sunday, Rubio and Netanyahu outlined mutual priorities, such as dismantling Hamas’ governance, deterring Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and monitoring post-Assad Syria’s developments.
Rubio further accused Tehran of “orchestrating every violent act, fueling instability, and endangering peace” across the region.
Netanyahu also criticized the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged “legal warfare” against Israel, condemning what he called “outrageous defamation.”
He expressed gratitude toward the US administration for imposing sanctions on the ICC, which had issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defense minister, and a senior Hamas commander over alleged war crimes—allegations that Israel denies.
Rubio is touring the Middle East for the first time as US secretary of state. He is also scheduled to meet Russian delegates in Saudi Arabia in the coming days for discussions on the Ukraine war—a meeting to which Ukraine and European nations were not invited.
His visit coincides with the arrival of a shipment of US-manufactured heavy bombs in Israel overnight.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that his country had received a consignment of MK-84 bombs from the US late Saturday, following Trump’s reversal of a munitions embargo imposed by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Biden initially authorized the delivery of MK-84 bombs to Israel after Hamas’ October 7 attack, but later froze further exports over concerns regarding their impact on Gaza. The powerful 2,000-pound explosives possess a broad blast radius, capable of penetrating concrete and steel, obliterating entire structures.
Katz stated the delivery was a “critical asset” for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and a testament to the “strong bond between Israel and the US.”
Meanwhile, Hamas reported that an Israeli airstrike had killed three police officers near Rafah in southern Gaza on Sunday, denouncing it as a “grave breach” of the ceasefire.
Israel claimed it had targeted “multiple armed operatives” in southern Gaza.
The ceasefire, which commenced on 19 January, mandates a total halt in hostilities for an initial 42-day phase.
Concerns were mounting this week that the tenuous ceasefire deal could collapse due to a dispute over a planned hostage release, which was nearly called off but ultimately proceeded on Saturday.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed on Sunday that an Israeli delegation would travel to Cairo on Monday to negotiate the second phase of the ceasefire.
