The United States and Israel are in total agreement on one red line for Gaza’s future: “excluding Hamas.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the declaration during a visit to Israel, backing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hardline stance.
This alignment comes as Netanyahu also demands a veto over the international peace force. “Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable to us,” he said, a move he claims the US supports.
This shared position on Hamas is a major development as the militant group continues to refuse to disarm.
Netanyahu has already signaled he will use his veto to block Turkey.
The Trump-brokered truce is fragile. An Israeli strike on Nuseirat was called a “violation” by Hamas, and a dispute over the slow return of hostage remains has prompted a warning from Donald Trump.