US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have presented a united stance against Hamas and Iran, vowing to take decisive action against their common adversaries.
Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem, Rubio, on his first Middle East trip as the top US diplomat under President Donald Trump, stated that Hamas “must be eliminated” as both a military and governing force. The Palestinian group engaged in a prolonged conflict with Israel in Gaza before a ceasefire took effect on January 19.
Rubio also described Iran as “the single greatest source of instability in the region.”
Netanyahu reinforced the commitment, warning that “the gates of hell will be opened” if Hamas does not release all hostages still held in Gaza. With the backing of the Trump administration, he added, “I have no doubt that we can and will finish the job” against Iran.
The comments come in the wake of a recent hostage swap between Hamas and Israel, during which President Trump threatened to cancel the truce deal if hostages were not released as agreed. His administration has also proposed a controversial plan for Gaza’s future, which reportedly includes relocating its more than two million residents to Jordan or Egypt.
“We discussed Trump’s bold vision for Gaza’s future and will work to ensure that vision becomes a reality,” Netanyahu said, though further details of the proposal remain unclear.
The international community, including key Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, continues to advocate for a two-state solution, envisioning a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reiterated on Sunday that establishing a Palestinian state remains “the only guarantee” of lasting peace in the region.
The US remains Israel’s strongest ally, providing substantial military aid and diplomatic support. However, Washington’s latest proposals face significant opposition from global leaders, who favour negotiations leading to a permanent resolution rather than forced displacement of Gaza’s population.