Netanyahu and Rubio Address US-Israel Coordination on Gaza
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Synopsis
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the strong cooperation between Israel and the US regarding Gaza, emphasizing a shared strategy on hostages and Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu and Rubio affirm US-Israel cooperation on Gaza.
- Trump's vision includes relocating Gaza's Palestinian population.
- US and Israel coordinate efforts against Iran's nuclear program.
- Hostages in Gaza must be released according to Rubio.
- Hamas's governance must be eradicated for peace.
Jerusalem, Feb 17 (NationPress) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem, stated that Israel and the US are collaborating closely on matters related to the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu described their conversation as highly productive, focusing on US President Donald Trump's ambitious vision for Gaza's future, which aims to resettle Gaza's Palestinian population in neighboring nations and transform the area into the 'riviera' of the Middle East, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
He expressed gratitude for the US support of Israel's policies in Gaza, affirming that he and Trump share a unified strategy, although he noted that details of this strategy cannot always be disclosed publicly, particularly concerning the potential consequences if hostages are not freed.
Furthermore, Netanyahu highlighted the importance of US-Israel coordination regarding Iran, stating that both nations collaborate diligently to address Tehran's nuclear ambitions and regional military endeavors. He emphasized that Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons and that its aggression in the region must be curtailed.
In his remarks, Rubio asserted that the hostages still held in Gaza must be released, declaring, 'That must happen. It’s not optional.'
Rubio also noted that Trump has made it clear that Hamas must not continue to function as a governing body or military force, stating that peace is unattainable while the group remains in power. 'It must be eradicated, it must be eliminated,' he emphasized.
Defending Trump's vision for Gaza, Rubio termed it as 'something new' that demands courage and vision.
Rubio arrived in Israel late on Saturday for his first trip to the Middle East since taking office, amidst regional rejection and criticism of Trump's proposal concerning Gaza.
