Egypt Daily News – In a unified front against their common enemies, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened on Sunday to “open the gates of hell” on Hamas and “finish the mission” regarding Iran, which they described as the “primary source of instability” in the region.
Meanwhile, uncertainty looms over the future of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, especially since negotiations for its second phase expected to include the release of all surviving hostages and an end to the war have not yet begun.
Rubio and Netanyahu Show a Unified Front, Threaten Hamas and Iran
In a strong show of unity against common adversaries, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Sunday to “open the gates of hell” on Hamas and “finish the mission” against Iran, which they described as the “main source of instability” in the region.
A “Joint Strategy”
Following a meeting in Jerusalem, where Rubio began his first Middle East tour, Netanyahu spoke of a “joint strategy” with Donald Trump regarding the future of war-torn Gaza. He praised Trump’s “bold vision”, which involves taking control of Gaza and relocating its residents to Egypt and Jordan—both of which have opposed the plan.
Netanyahu declared, “We will work to ensure this vision is achieved.”
For his part, Rubio stressed that Hamas must be “eliminated,” aligning with Netanyahu’s original war objectives following the unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Netanyahu warned that Israel would “open the gates of hell” in Gaza if all hostages were not released.
Israeli Airstrikes and U.S. Weapon Deliveries
Before the meeting, the Israeli military announced an airstrike on “several armed individuals” in southern Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas’s Interior Ministry confirmed that an Israeli air raid in eastern Rafah killed three police officers and seriously wounded two others.
Additionally, the Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed the overnight arrival of a shipment of “heavy bombs” from the United States.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel, with U.S. backing, will “finish the mission” against Iran, reiterating that “Israel and America stand together against Iran’s threat.”
Hostage Exchanges and Ceasefire Uncertainty
The Rubio-Netanyahu meeting followed a prisoner exchange on Saturday, in which Hamas and Islamic Jihad released three Israeli hostages, while Israel freed 369 Palestinian detainees.
Since the first phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19, a total of 19 Israeli hostages and 1,134 Palestinian prisoners have been released. The agreement’s first phase is set to expire on March 1, with a target of freeing 33 hostages in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian detainees.
However, uncertainty hangs over the ceasefire deal, as negotiations for its second phase—meant to secure the release of all remaining hostages and end the war—have yet to begin. The third and final phase, focused on Gaza’s reconstruction, is estimated by the UN to cost over $53 billion.
A source close to the negotiations indicated that talks for phase two are expected to begin “next week in Doha.”
Meanwhile, protests erupted in Tel Aviv, with demonstrators demanding an extension of the ceasefire. “The hostages won’t survive much longer. The full hostage agreement must be implemented,” said Zohar Shahar Mor, a relative of a captive who died in detention.
Hamas, in turn, has accused Israel of blocking the entry of mobile homes and debris removal equipment into Gaza.
Arab Summit and Trump’s Gaza Plan
Trump’s controversial proposal to place Gaza under U.S. control and relocate its 2.4 million residents to Egypt and Jordan, in order to transform the enclave into the “Middle East Riviera,” has been welcomed in Israel but widely condemned worldwide.
In response, five Arab nations are set to hold a summit in Riyadh on February 20 to counter the U.S. proposal and present alternative plans for Gaza’s long-term future.
Rubio acknowledged that Washington is open to Arab proposals but stressed, “Right now, the only plan on the table is Trump’s—and they [the Arabs] don’t like it. So if they have a better plan, now is the time to present it.”
U.S. Diplomatic Efforts
Following his meetings with Netanyahu, Rubio is scheduled to meet Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, President Isaac Herzog, and opposition leader Yair Lapid.
Rubio will then travel to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson emphasized that “partner countries must commit to a plan for Gaza’s post-war reconstruction” and called for “innovative solutions.”
Egypt: Palestinian State is the “Only Guarantee” for Peace
Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reaffirmed to the World Jewish Congress that establishing a Palestinian state is the “only guarantee” for lasting Middle East peace.
Sisi also underscored the “importance of beginning Gaza’s reconstruction without displacing its residents”, adding that “Egypt is preparing a comprehensive plan in this regard.”
