US-Israel Axis Maintains Hard Line on Gaza and Iran, Rubio Meets with Netanyahu
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations, focusing on Hamas, hostages, and Gaza's future. Netanyahu highlighted a shared strategy with Trump to address tensions, insisting Hamas must be eradicated. The ceasefire's next phase involves negotiations for hostage release and a lasting truce.
hassan benyoub 
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming the strong alliance between the two nations. Discussions covered key issues including Hamas, the hostages, the future of Gaza, and Iran, with both sides displaying a firm stance.
Netanyahu asserted that he and U.S. President Donald Trump share a "common strategy" aimed at demilitarizing Hamas, removing it from power in Gaza, and securing the release of all hostages, with 73 still held captive. The details of this strategy remain undisclosed.
Netanyahu echoed Trump's ultimatum to Hamas, stating, "We have a common strategy and we cannot always reveal the details of this strategy with the public, like when the gates of hell will open and they will open if all the hostages are not released until the last of them".
This statement signals Israel's readiness to resume fighting in Gaza, where the military presence has been reinforced. The U.S. provides both political and military backing, as evidenced by the recent arrival of a shipment of American heavy weapons that had been previously suspended.
Rubio emphasized that Hamas "must be eradicated" and cannot continue as a military or governing force. He also acknowledged that Trump's proposal to turn the Gaza Strip into a "Riviera of the Middle East" "may have shocked and surprised" many. Rubio praised Trump's plan as "something that is new, something that frankly took courage and vision in order to outline".
These statements come as the first phase of the ceasefire is set to end, with the second phase, involving the release of remaining hostages and discussions on a lasting truce, yet to be negotiated.
