US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is making his first visit to the Middle East since taking office, aiming to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The meeting comes one day after the exchange of three Hamas hostages held in the Gaza Strip for 369 Palestinian prisoners.
During his visit, Rubio is expected to discuss the controversial proposal by former President Donald Trump, which involves taking control of the Gaza Strip and relocating its residents to Egypt and Jordan. The proposal has sparked intense opposition from various quarters.
Rubio arrived in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, the same day as the sixth prisoner exchange since the ceasefire began. The ceasefire agreement, which came into effect on January 19, led to a cessation of hostilities following 15 months of intense fighting in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023.
First Phase of Ceasefire
Following 498 days of captivity in Gaza, Russian-Israeli Sasha Trufanov, 29, American-Israeli Saghi Dekel-Hen, 36, and Argentine-Israeli Yair Horn, 46, were freed in Khan Yunis (southern Gaza). Israel confirmed it had released 369 Palestinian prisoners.
The first phase of the ceasefire, set to conclude on March 1, has already facilitated the release of 19 Israeli hostages and 1,134 Palestinians. This phase will see 33 hostages, including eight deceased, handed over to Israel in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
Second Phase of Ceasefire Talks
During his talks in Jerusalem, Rubio is expected to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which envisions the release of all remaining hostages and a definitive end to the war.
According to a source close to the negotiations, mediators hope to begin talks on the second phase “next week in Doha” before moving to the final phase, which involves rebuilding Gaza — a monumental task the UN estimates will cost more than $53 billion.
Washington remains open to proposals from Arab countries regarding Gaza but has emphasized that “the only plan currently is Trump’s.”
Trump’s “Riviera of the Middle East” Plan
Trump’s plan envisions the US taking control of the Palestinian enclave to create a “Riviera of the Middle East” and relocating Gaza’s residents to Jordan and Egypt. Both countries have categorically opposed the proposal.
“For now, the only plan, which they don’t like, but is the only plan, is Trump’s,” Rubio said on Thursday. “So, if they have a better one, now’s the time to present it.”
After his meeting with Netanyahu, scheduled for this morning, Rubio will meet with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and opposition leader Yair Lapid.
