US Secretary of State arrives in Tel Aviv to discuss strategy with Israeli Prime Minister on Gaza

On February 16, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister in Jerusalem to discuss a ceasefire in Gaza following the latest hostage-for-prisoner exchange with Hamas.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, February 16. (Source: Alarabiya/X)

In his first visit to the region as US Secretary of State, Mr Rubio is expected to push President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to take over the Gaza Strip and relocate its more than 2 million residents.

The plan includes proposals to rebuild the Gaza coastal region into the "Riviera of the Middle East" from the rubble left by more than 15 months of devastating war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the idea during a recent visit to the White House, but leaders of countries, especially those in the region, have largely rejected President Trump's idea.

Mr Rubio arrived hours after the Islamist Hamas movement released three Israeli hostages in Gaza in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners - the sixth exchange under a fragile ceasefire deal divided into three phases.

Negotiations on the second phase of a ceasefire deal aimed at securing a more lasting end to the war are expected to begin next week in Doha.

The US, Israel's top ally and arms supplier, said it was willing to consider alternative proposals from Arab governments but insisted that, for now, "the only plan is Mr Trump's".

Mr Rubio will also visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with tough talks scheduled for February 17 in Riyadh - a key partner in Mr Trump's strategy for the region.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ngoai-truong-my-den-tel-aviv-ban-ke-sach-voi-thu-tuong-israel-ve-gaza-304547.html