Rubio Emphasizes "A Very Bold Approach" in Support of Trump's Logic
Forced Relocation of Palestinian Residents Included... Collective Backlash from Arab Countries
Secretary of State Rubio's Next Destinations: UAE and Saudi Arabia
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stands during a meeting with a diplomatic delegation in Washington, U.S., on the 21st of last month (local time). Secretary Rubio began a Middle East tour starting in Israel on the 16th (local time) and has started preparing a roadmap to realize U.S. President Donald Trump's 'Gaza Initiative'. / Reuters·Yonhap Photo by Reuters Yonhap
U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio began his Middle East tour on the 16th (local time) starting in Israel, initiating preparations for a roadmap to realize President Donald Trump's "Gaza Plan." He appeared unfazed by the collective backlash from Arab countries against the Gaza Plan, which includes the forced relocation of Palestinian residents.
Secretary Rubio held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Israel, on the same day. This visit marks his first trip to the Middle East since assuming office as U.S. Secretary of State. According to The New York Times (NYT), the talks included discussions on specific follow-up measures such as control over the Gaza Strip and plans for the forced relocation of Palestinian residents.
In a speech following the meeting, Secretary Rubio stated, "We are taking a very bold approach, not the old ideas, regarding the future of the Gaza Strip," adding, "We must not continue to repeat the same patterns and remain in the same situation," reinforcing President Trump's stance.
Neighboring Arab countries are strongly opposing the Gaza Plan. Countries like Jordan and Egypt, which President Trump identified as "potential relocation candidates" and even mentioned the possibility of cutting U.S. aid, are under intense pressure. Egypt plans to hold an Arab summit on the 27th of this month (local time) to seek alternatives.
Abdo, an Egyptian construction engineer, told the British BBC, "This is like moving the battlefield from their land to our land," appealing, "The Israeli military and Palestinian resistance forces are eternal enemies, and there is no peace between them." He added, "This essentially gives Israel a pretext to attack us on our territory under the justification of self-defense."
Rubio's visit also carries significance amid growing uncertainty over whether the unstable ceasefire between Israel and the armed group Hamas can lead to a permanent end to hostilities. On the 15th, Hamas suddenly set conditions during hostage negotiations, raising the possibility of ceasefire breakdown, but the sixth exchange was narrowly achieved, averting the worst-case scenario. President Trump publicly warned Hamas that if a full hostage exchange is not realized, he could order Israel to cancel the ceasefire.
Further negotiations are expected soon. U.S. Middle East envoy Stephen Witkoff stated in a Fox News interview, "Phase two negotiations will proceed shortly," adding, "The goal is the release of additional hostages, including 19 Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and American hostage Eden Alexander."
Secretary Rubio is scheduled to leave Israel and travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have rejected the mass population relocation from the Gaza Strip. U.S. ABC News noted that these countries are expected to play a key role in post-conflict reconstruction discussions in the Middle East.
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