In a notable development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday his intention to advance U.S. President Donald Trump’s contentious suggestion to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza, labeling it as “the only viable plan for a new future” in the area.

During talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who began his Middle East tour expressing support for Israel’s military goals in Gaza and asserting that Hamas “must be eliminated,” concerns intensified regarding the precarious ceasefire, particularly as discussions for its next phase have not yet begun.

As Rubio is set to visit Saudi Arabia and the UAE, he anticipates facing significant pushback from Arab leaders concerning Trump’s proposal, which entails the reconstruction of Gaza under U.S. supervision. While Netanyahu maintains that any movement from Gaza should be “voluntary,” critics and human rights groups argue that the plan effectively constitutes coercion given the extensive destruction in the region.

Netanyahu asserted that he and Trump share a “cohesive strategy” for Gaza. He reiterated Trump’s warning that “the gates of hell would open” if Hamas fails to release the many hostages taken during the group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, an incident that ignited a prolonged conflict lasting 16 months.

The current phase of the ceasefire is set to wrap up in two weeks. Plans for the subsequent phase were supposed to commence two weeks ago, focusing on the release of numerous hostages held by Hamas in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a sustainable ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, assured Fox News that “phase two is definitely going to happen” and reported having “very productive” discussions on Sunday with Netanyahu and mediators from Egypt and Qatar regarding ongoing negotiations this week. He also noted that among the hostages to be released are 19 Israeli soldiers, all of whom “we believe are alive.”

According to Netanyahu’s office, Israel’s security Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Monday to consider the next steps in the ongoing conflict.

In a related announcement, Israel’s Defense Ministry revealed they received a shipment of 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) MK-84 munitions from the United States. This delivery follows the Biden administration’s suspension of similar shipments last year due to concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza.

Renewed hostilities could threaten hostages

As the conflict approaches the 500-day milestone, Netanyahu has expressed a readiness to resume military operations after the current ceasefire phase, which could jeopardize the safety of remaining hostages.

Rubio stated that lasting peace is unattainable while Hamas “remains a governing entity capable of administering or threatening with violence,” insisting that it must be dismantled.

Despite suffering heavy losses, Hamas has managed to reassert its dominance over Gaza since the ceasefire began last month.

Netanyahu has extended an offer to Hamas for surrender, suggesting that key leaders could be sent into exile. However, Hamas has turned down this proposal, advocating for Palestinian governance instead. Spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou stated that the group would support a Palestinian unity government or a technocratic committee to manage Gaza.

Amid ongoing challenges related to the delivery of shelter materials, Netanyahu has instructed negotiators to head to Cairo on Monday to discuss the further implementation of the ceasefire’s initial phase.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported conducting an airstrike against individuals approaching its forces in southern Gaza. In response, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry confirmed the deaths of three police officers who were securing the entry of aid trucks near Rafah, close to the Egyptian border.

‘If anyone has a better plan … that’s excellent’

In a recent interview, Rubio suggested that Trump’s plan for Gaza is partly aimed at motivating Arab nations to devise their own postwar strategies that would gain Israel’s approval.

He further indicated that Arab nations should contemplate sending troops to confront Hamas.

“If the Arab countries have a more effective plan, that’s fantastic,” Rubio stated during the “Clay and Buck Show.”

However, he added, “Hamas is armed,” emphasizing that “someone needs to confront them. It won’t be U.S. soldiers. If regional countries can’t address that issue, then Israel will have to take action.”

Notably, Rubio’s itinerary does not include any meetings with Palestinians during this trip.

Limited choices for Arab leaders

For Arab leaders, facilitating the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza or engaging in military action against Palestinian militants on behalf of Israel presents daunting challenges, potentially provoking severe domestic backlash and further destabilizing an already volatile region.

Egypt is preparing to host an Arab summit on February 27 and is collaborating with other nations to formulate a counterproposal that would facilitate Gaza’s reconstruction without displacing its residents. Human rights advocates argue that such expulsions would likely violate international law.

Egypt has warned that a mass influx of Palestinians from Gaza could jeopardize its longstanding peace treaty with Israel, a cornerstone of U.S. influence in the region.

Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have also voiced their opposition to any mass displacement of Palestinians.

The UAE played a crucial role in the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw four Arab nations—Bahrain, the UAE, Morocco, and Sudan—normalize relations with Israel during Trump’s previous administration. Trump aims to expand these accords to include Saudi Arabia, potentially offering enhanced U.S. defense ties, but the kingdom has stated it will not normalize relations with Israel without a viable pathway to Palestinian statehood.

Rubio’s trip will not feature visits to Egypt or Jordan, both close U.S. allies that maintain peace with Israel and have refused to accept any influx of Palestinian refugees. Trump has suggested the possibility of reducing U.S. aid to these nations if they do not comply, which could have severe implications for their economies.

Rubio will also not be visiting Qatar.

Arab and Muslim nations have indicated that their support for postwar Gaza hinges on a return to Palestinian governance, with a clear pathway to statehood that includes Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem—territories that Israel has occupied since the 1967 Middle East war.

Israel has dismissed the notion of a Palestinian state and any role for the Western-backed Palestinian Authority in Gaza, which was ousted when Hamas took control in 2007.

—Reported by Natalie Melzer from Nahariya, Israel. Samy Magdy contributed to this report from Cairo.