Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning to Hamas, declaring that Israel will “open the gates of hell” in Gaza if all hostages are not returned.
Speaking alongside visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, Netanyahu emphasised that Israel and the United States share a strategic approach to dealing with Hamas, though some details remain undisclosed.
Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s determination to dismantle Hamas’s military and political control over Gaza, vowing to secure the return of all hostages and prevent future ‘threats’ from the territory.
He expressed gratitude for unwavering US support, stating that it would accelerate Israel’s objectives and pave the way for a new future in the region.
The discussion also touched on US President Donald Trump’s controversial vision for Gaza’s future.
Trump recently proposed that the US should take control of the enclave and transform it into a “Riviera of the Middle East,” while relocating its two million Palestinian residents to neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. The suggestion has sparked widespread international condemnation.
Rubio acknowledged the backlash, admitting that Trump’s proposal may have “shocked and surprised” many.
However, he defended the president’s approach as bold and forward-thinking, arguing that it challenges ineffective past strategies.
He insisted that Hamas must be eliminated, both as a military force and a governing body, to prevent further cycles of conflict.
Rubio also stressed that Trump’s immediate priority is the release of hostages still held in Gaza since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
He asserted that bringing them home remains the top concern before any broader plans for Gaza’s future are implemented.
