Netanyahu and Rubio discuss US-Israel coordination on Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem, stated that Israel and the US are working in “full cooperation” on issues related to the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu described his meeting with Rubio as “very productive,” highlighting discussions on US President Donald Trump’s proposed vision for Gaza’s future. This vision includes relocating Gaza’s Palestinian population to neighboring countries and transforming the region into a “Middle Eastern riviera,” according to Xinhua News Agency.

Expressing gratitude for the US’s “unequivocal” support of Israel’s policies in Gaza, Netanyahu emphasized that he and Trump share a “common strategy.” He noted that while all details could not be publicly disclosed, he warned that severe actions could follow if Israeli hostages were not released.

The two leaders also addressed coordination on Iran, with Netanyahu asserting that Israel and the US are working “shoulder to shoulder” to counter Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and military activities. He reiterated their stance that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and that its regional influence should be curtailed.

Rubio, in his statement, stressed the urgent need for the release of hostages held in Gaza, saying, “That must happen. It’s not optional.” He reiterated Trump’s stance that Hamas cannot continue to exist as a governing or military entity, stating that “it must be eradicated.”

Defending Trump’s vision for Gaza’s future, Rubio described it as a bold new approach that demands “courage and vision.”

Rubio’s visit marks his first trip to the Middle East since assuming office, amid growing opposition to Trump’s Gaza proposal from regional states.