Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning, vowing to “open the gates of hell” in Gaza if Hamas does not release all hostages held since the militant group’s October 7, 2023, attack. Speaking alongside visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, February 16, Netanyahu emphasized a unified US-Israeli strategy to counter Hamas and secure the hostages’ safe return.
While details of the strategy remain undisclosed, Netanyahu made it clear that Israel is prepared to take decisive action. “We will eliminate Hamas’s military capability and its political rule in Gaza,” he stated. “We will bring all our hostages home, and we will ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”
Netanyahu highlighted the strong backing of the United States, crediting it as a key factor in accelerating Israel’s efforts to achieve its objectives. He also revealed discussions with Rubio regarding former US President Donald Trump’s controversial vision for Gaza’s future.
Trump recently proposed that the US take control of Gaza and transform it into a luxury destination, dubbed the “Riviera of the Middle East,” while relocating the territory’s two million Palestinian residents to neighboring countries, including Egypt and Jordan. The proposal has sparked widespread international criticism, with many condemning it as unrealistic and dismissive of Palestinian rights.
Rubio acknowledged the controversy but defended Trump’s plan as a bold and visionary approach to breaking the cycle of conflict in Gaza. “The ongoing violence cannot continue,” Rubio said. “Hamas must be eliminated as both a military and political force. The first priority is to bring the hostages home.”
The escalating tensions and high-stakes rhetoric underscore the fragile and volatile situation in the region, with significant implications for regional stability, humanitarian concerns, and international diplomacy.