Marco Rubio arrives in Israel on first trip to Middle East as U.S. secretary of state

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made his first visit to Israel over the weekend, arriving late on Saturday amidst a controversial proposal by President Donald Trump to relocate Palestinians in Gaza. Trump’s suggestion that Egypt and Jordan should take in Palestinians from Gaza was met with strong opposition from both countries.

Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, Trump shocked the world on February 4 by proposing to resettle Gaza’s 2.2 million Palestinians and have the U.S. take control and ownership of the demolished region. He envisioned transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Additionally, Trump declared on February 10 that Palestinians would not have the right of return to Gaza under his plan, contradicting earlier statements made by his officials.

The President’s proposal sparked outrage among Palestinians, who viewed it as a form of ethnic cleansing and feared being permanently displaced from their homes. The situation was further exacerbated by Israel’s military assault on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 47,000 Palestinians in the last 16 months, according to the Gaza health ministry. The assault, which has since been halted by a fragile ceasefire, has led to accusations of genocide and war crimes against Israel, allegations that the country vehemently denies.

The conflict between Israel and Palestine escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of around 250 hostages. Rubio’s visit to Israel will focus on discussing the situation in Gaza and the aftermath of the Hamas attack. He is expected to follow Trump’s strategy of disrupting the status quo in the region, according to a State Department official.

As Rubio engages in discussions during his trip, the international community awaits further developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The situation remains tense, with deep-rooted issues and complex dynamics at play. It is crucial for diplomatic efforts to be intensified in order to seek a peaceful resolution and address the humanitarian crisis affecting the people of Gaza.