Israel security cabinet to discuss new phase of Gaza truce after Rubio visit

Rubio and Netanyahu present united front against Hamas and Iran during Middle East trip, discussing ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel's security cabinet was set to discuss on Monday (February 17, 2025) the next phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, after top U.S. diplomat Marco Rubio and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu presented a united front against Hamas and Iran.

Mr. Rubio was in Israel on his first Middle East trip as President Donald Trump's secretary of state, and was slated to leave for Saudi Arabia on Monday (February 17, 2025).

"Hamas cannot continue as a military or a government force... they must be eliminated," Rubio said of the Palestinian Islamist group that fought Israel for more than 15 months in Gaza until a fragile ceasefire took effect on January 19.

Standing beside him, Mr. Netanyahu said the two allies had "a common strategy", and that "the gates of hell will be opened" if all hostages still held by militants in Gaza are not freed.

The comments came a day after Hamas freed three Israeli hostages in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners -- the sixth such swap under the ceasefire deal, which the United States helped mediate along with Qatar and Egypt.

Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, which has been further strained by Trump's widely condemned proposal to take control of rubble-strewn Gaza and relocate its more than two million residents.

"We discussed Trump's bold vision for Gaza's future and will work to ensure that vision becomes a reality," Mr. Netanyahu said.