Egypt Asserts Palestinian State as Key to Peace
JERUSALEM – The United States and Israel have reinforced their alliance against common adversaries, issuing strong warnings to Hamas and Iran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu jointly declared on Sunday their commitment to eliminating Hamas and countering Iranian influence in the Middle East.
Rubio, during his first official visit to the region under President Donald Trump’s administration, emphasized that Hamas must be dismantled as both a military and governing force. “Hamas cannot continue as a military or a government force… they must be eliminated,” Rubio stated. Standing beside him, Netanyahu echoed the sentiment, warning that the “gates of hell will be opened” if all Israeli prisoners held in Gaza are not freed.
Ceasefire and Prisoner Exchange
The statements came just a day after Hamas released three Israeli prisoners in exchange for 369 Palestinian detainees—the sixth such exchange under a ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. However, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of ceasefire violations, adding tension to the already fragile truce.
The ceasefire, currently in its initial 42-day phase, has experienced multiple breaches. On Sunday, an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza’s Rafah reportedly killed three Palestinian police officers, a move Hamas condemned as a “serious violation” of the truce. This is at least the second Israeli airstrike in Gaza since the ceasefire began.
Trump’s Controversial Gaza Plan
Adding to the complexity, former US President Donald Trump has proposed a controversial plan to relocate over two million Gazans to Jordan or Egypt, sparking international condemnation. Netanyahu voiced support for Trump’s vision, stating, “We discussed Trump’s bold vision for Gaza’s future and will work to ensure that vision becomes a reality.”
The proposal, which lacks detailed implementation strategies, envisions transforming Gaza into a thriving economic hub, described by Trump as the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Despite Washington’s assertion that it is open to alternative proposals, Rubio reaffirmed that for now, “the only plan is the Trump plan.”
International Response and Regional Diplomacy
The international community, including Saudi Arabia and other Arab states, continues to advocate for a two-state solution, with Egypt strongly reinforcing this stance. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed that the establishment of a Palestinian state is “the only guarantee” for lasting peace in the region.
Rubio is set to visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the coming days to discuss regional stability and further diplomatic strategies.
US Military Support to Israel
Amid ongoing tensions, Israel has received a new shipment of US-made 2,000-pound bombs, released under Trump’s authorization. The Biden administration had previously withheld these munitions over concerns that they would be used in densely populated areas of Gaza.
Escalating Regional Tensions
The Gaza conflict has fueled broader regional instability, with Iran backing armed groups in Yemen and Lebanon. Israel’s military campaign has significantly weakened Hezbollah, Hamas’s Lebanese ally, while direct strikes between Israel and Iran have further escalated tensions.
During Sunday’s press conference, Rubio identified Iran as the “single greatest source of instability” in the Middle East. Netanyahu vowed to neutralize Iranian threats with US backing, stating, “With the support of the Trump administration, I have no doubt that we can and will finish the job against Iran.”
Looking Ahead
With negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire expected to take place in Doha, the future of peace efforts remains uncertain. While international actors push for diplomatic resolutions, the US and Israel continue their firm stance against Hamas and Iran, potentially setting the stage for further geopolitical shifts in the region
