Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Sunday amid ongoing political turmoil in the Middle East, spurred by President Trump's proposals regarding the Gaza Strip and its Palestinian residents.
This marks Mr. Rubio's first visit to the region as Secretary of State and coincides with negotiations between Israel and Hamas aimed at solidifying a cease-fire in Gaza.
However, Trump's controversial vision for transforming Gaza into an American-administered "Riviera of the Middle East" has overshadowed these discussions. Mr. Rubio is expected to face inquiries regarding the specifics of this plan during his engagements in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
It remains uncertain whether Mr. Rubio will provide clarity on the proposal, which has been described as vague and contentious. He has previously indicated that he views Trump's idea more as a negotiating tactic designed to prompt Arab leaders to take greater responsibility for the Palestinian situation.
Trump introduced his Gaza plan during a February 4 news conference with Netanyahu, who has characterized it as a "revolutionary, creative approach." However, Netanyahu has not formally backed the idea, which some Israeli officials deem impractical.
Arab officials swiftly condemned the proposal, prompting Mr. Rubio to suggest that Trump's intentions were to elicit a response and encourage other nations to contribute to Gaza's postwar recovery.
Despite initial pushback, Trump has reiterated his commitment to the plan, stating his intention to proceed with it. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized that Palestinian residents must remain on their land, labeling the forced expulsion of Palestinians as ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law.
Trump's suggestion that Jordan and Egypt should accommodate displaced Palestinians has been rejected by Arab leaders and past U.S. administrations. Following a meeting at the White House, King Abdullah II of Jordan publicly dismissed the proposal.
In a recent radio interview, Mr. Rubio characterized Trump's proposal as a diplomatic maneuver aimed at prompting action from Arab nations, which have historically been reluctant to accept Palestinian refugees.
Rubio has urged that any Arab-led initiative must address the significant challenges of rebuilding Gaza and establishing a multinational security force to contain remnants of Hamas, emphasizing that any plan that leaves Hamas intact would pose ongoing issues for Israel.
He did not reference ongoing efforts by the Biden administration to develop a comprehensive plan that would involve Arab security forces and funding for Gaza's reconstruction, contingent on the cessation of hostilities.
Mr. Rubio arrived in Israel on Saturday, coinciding with Hamas's release of three Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a move aimed at maintaining the cease-fire facilitated by U.S. officials.
Following his time in Israel, Mr. Rubio plans to continue to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where he and other Trump aides will meet with Russian officials to discuss the war in Ukraine.
The public response to Mr. Rubio's trip has been muted in Israel, with questions surrounding his influence compared to other advisors in the Trump administration. While Israeli officials have expressed appreciation for U.S. support, Netanyahu's stance on the viability of Trump's plan for Gaza remains ambiguous.
Netanyahu appears to prioritize securing U.S. backing for potential military action against Hamas, emphasizing that the conflict cannot conclude until Hamas is decisively defeated.