US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today (Sunday) with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, marking Rubio's first visit to Israel since assuming office.
During the meetings at the Prime Minister's Office, plans to show Rubio the Oct. 7 massacre footage were reconsidered after learning he had already viewed it during his tenure as senator. While Rubio did not watch it again, his staff members were shown the disturbing video during the Netanyahu meeting. A source present in the room reported their reactions were profoundly affected by the content.
At a joint press conference held at noon, Netanyahu emphasized: "Iran's aggression in the region must be rolled back. We will eliminate Hamas' military capability and its political rule in Gaza, we will bring all our hostages home and we will ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel," he said. "The unequivocal support of the United States on Gaza will help us achieve these objectives faster and set us on a path for a different future," Netanyahu added. "Secretary Rubio and I discussed President Trump's bold vision for Gaza."
Video: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint press conference in Jerusalem. Credit: Contact
"President Trump and I are working in full cooperation and coordination," he continued. "While we cannot always disclose details, I will state clearly that the gates of hell will open if the hostages are not released. We will bring all the hostages home and guarantee Gaza no longer threatens our security. American support is instrumental in achieving these objectives."
"It's an honor to serve in this role on behalf of President Donald Trump... who is a tremendous friend of Israel," Rubio said at the joint press conference. "The hostages need to come home... and that is something we work on very closely together."
Regarding the Iranian threat, Rubio added: "Iran is the single greatest source of instability in the region. Behind every terrorist group, behind every act of violence, behind every destabilizing activity, behind everything that threatens peace and stability for the millions of people who call this region home, is Iran. There can never be a nuclear Iran. The president's been clear about that as well."
The meetings between the prime minister and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio centered on securing the hostages' return – with immediate priority given to recovering as many living hostages as possible without using a phased approach, followed by advancing negotiations on the second phase, which includes terms for ending the war.
