US secretary of state Marco Rubio has fully endorsed Israel’s war aims in the Gaza Strip – throwing the region’s fragile ceasefire into further doubt.
Mr Rubio met with top Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday as he started a tour of the Middle East which will likely see him face pushback from Arab leaders over Donald Trump’s plan to “take over” and redevelop Gaza.
The Israel-Hamas ceasefire began on 19 January and the first phase comes to an end in two weeks’ time. The second phase is yet to be negotiated.
Mr Rubio said Hamas cannot continue as either a military or government force – using language which could complicate the talks.
“As long as it stands as a force that can govern or as a force that can administer or as a force that can threaten by use of violence, peace becomes impossible,” he said.
“It must be eradicated.”
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Hamas reasserted control over Gaza when the ceasefire began and has been releasing hostages taken during its attack on 7 October 2023 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
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Mr Rubio’s comments came as the Israel military said it carried out an airstrike on Sunday on people who had approached its forces in southern Gaza.
Gaza’s Hamas-run Interior Ministry had said three of its police officers were killed while they secured the entry of aid trucks on the Egyptian border. Hamas said the attack was a “serious violation” of the ceasefire agreement.
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Mr Netanyahu – who has welcomed Mr Trump’s plan for Gaza – has signalled a readiness to war after the current phase of the ceasefire.
He has offered Hamas a chance to surrender and send its top leaders into exile – which has been rejected by the group.
While each of the phase one hostage releases have so far taken place as planned, they haven’t been without their issues.
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Earlier this week, Hamas threatened to delay a release because Mr Netanyahu was yet to approve the entry of mobile homes and heavy machinery into Gaza, as required by the ceasefire agreement.
In response, Israel – with the backing of Mr Trump – threatened to renew its offensive if the hostages were not freed.
Mr Rubio’s tour will see him visit the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, but he is skipping Egypt and Jordan – two long-time US allies which have refused to accept any influx of Palestinian refugees.
