The future governance of Gaza must be determined by “Israel and its partners, excluding Hamas,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared in Israel. This strong alignment with Israel comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demands a full veto over the planned international peace force.
Netanyahu stated Sunday that “Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable to us.” He claimed this was “acceptable to the United States,” a claim Rubio’s comments seem to confirm.
The US has ruled out sending its own troops, but Rubio said the force must be “countries that Israel’s comfortable with.” This gives Netanyahu a green light to block nations like Turkey, which he has already signaled he will do.
This diplomatic consensus is forming as the Trump-brokered truce is fraying. An Israeli strike on Nuseirat camp has been called a “violation” by Hamas.
Furthermore, the slow return of Israeli hostage remains has prompted a public warning from Donald Trump, who is “watching very closely” to ensure Hamas complies with the agreement.