The conflict in Gaza remains unresolved, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Sunday. He underlined that the immediate goal is to secure the release of Israeli hostages, viewing this as the crucial first step before tackling the complex details of the region’s long-term future.
Rubio confirmed that Hamas has “basically” accepted President Donald Trump’s proposed framework for freeing the hostages, with ongoing discussions focusing on the logistical aspects of this release.
“They have also agreed, in principle and in broad terms, to engage in discussions about what comes next,” Rubio noted, adding that “a lot of details are going to have to be meticulously ironed out.”
The Secretary of State expressed confidence that the U.S. would swiftly determine the seriousness of Hamas’s intentions during these ongoing technical talks concerning the hostage release.
“Our number one priority, and one we hope to achieve very quickly, is the liberation of all hostages in exchange for Israel withdrawing to the ‘yellow line’—its position within Gaza from mid-August,” Mr. Rubio explained.
He described the subsequent phase, which involves defining Gaza’s future beyond an Israeli pullback, as “even more challenging.” Rubio questioned how to establish a Palestinian technocratic leadership separate from Hamas and how to effectively disarm and demobilize any terrorist groups intent on building tunnels and launching attacks against Israel.
“All this work will be arduous, but it is absolutely essential,” he concluded. “Without these steps, a lasting peace simply won’t be possible.”