Rubio's Middle East Trip: A Complex Welcome

Marco Rubio, the U. S. Secretary of State, landed in Israel on February 15, 2025, marking his first visit to the region as the top U. S. diplomat. This trip comes at a tense time, with Arab leaders grappling with a controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. The proposal, put forth by former President Donald Trump, suggests transferring the Palestinian population of Gaza to other countries and redeveloping the area under U. S. control. This plan has been met with widespread rejection from Arab leaders, who are scrambling to come up with an alternative. Rubio's visit to Israel is expected to be warmly received by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has publicly supported the proposal. However, Arab leaders are likely to push back against it. A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in place, but the situation is delicate. The ceasefire was threatened last week, but it held. However, a fast-approaching deadline in early March could see the war resume if negotiations for the next phase fail. Tensions are high, and the situation is unpredictable. The Israeli military conducted an airstrike early on Sunday, killing three Hamas policemen who were providing security for aid trucks near the Egyptian border. This incident highlights the ongoing volatility in the region. Netanyahu has indicated that he is prepared to resume the war, even if it means leaving dozens of hostages in captivity. He has offered Hamas a chance to surrender and exile its top leaders, but Hamas has rejected this proposal. Israel's Kan public broadcaster reported that Netanyahu has not approved the entry of mobile homes and heavy machinery into Gaza, as required by the ceasefire agreement. This issue was a point of contention last week, with Hamas threatening to hold up the release of hostages. However, they proceeded with the release based on assurances from Arab mediators. An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, stated that the issue would be discussed in the coming days and that Israel is coordinating with the United States. Meanwhile, Israel's Defense Ministry received a shipment of 2, 000-pound MK-84 munitions from the United States, despite concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza. Rubio's trip will also take him to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, both of which have rejected the mass displacement of Palestinians. These countries are key players in any regional response to the crisis. The United Arab Emirates was instrumental in the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and four Arab states. Trump hopes to expand these accords to include Saudi Arabia, but the kingdom has stated that it will not normalize relations without a pathway to a Palestinian state. Rubio will not be visiting Egypt or Jordan, both close U. S. allies at peace with Israel. These countries have refused to accept any influx of Palestinian refugees. Trump has suggested slashing U. S. aid to these countries if they do not comply, which could be devastating for their economies. Rubio is also skipping Qatar, which, along with Egypt, has been a key mediator with Hamas in brokering the ceasefire. Trump initially took credit for the ceasefire but has recently suggested that Israel resume the war if the remaining hostages are not released sooner than planned.