US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Begins Middle East Tour Amid Gaza Controversy

FILE - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio - US Department of State

T he US administration has proposed taking control of the Gaza Strip and relocating its two million Palestinian residents to neighboring Egypt and Jordan—an idea that has been met with strong opposition. Both Cairo and Amman have categorically rejected the plan, while rights groups have condemned it as a form of ethnic cleansing.

Rubio, speaking ahead of his visit, indicated he was open to alternative proposals from regional partners.

“If the Arab countries have a better plan, then that’s great. They say they do, they’re going to come up with it, we’re going to look at it, see what it’s regarding and what it does,” he said during a radio interview last week.

However, he emphasized that any solution leaving Hamas in power would be unacceptable, stating that an on-the-ground intervention would be necessary to dismantle the group’s military presence.

International Rejection of Forced Displacement

In a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this month, Trump defended his proposal, asserting that the US would “take over” Gaza, clear unexploded ordnance, and oversee reconstruction efforts. He claimed the enclave could be transformed into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
The Arab League, representing 22 Arab nations, dismissed the plan as a “recipe for instability,” while the European Union reiterated that Gaza remains an essential part of a future Palestinian state.
In response to the growing crisis, Egypt has scheduled an emergency summit for February 27, bringing together Arab leaders to address the unfolding situation. Regional powers have insisted that any reconstruction efforts must be carried out with Palestinians remaining on their land, rejecting any forced displacement.
As Rubio continues his diplomatic tour, the Biden administration faces increasing pressure to clarify its stance on Gaza’s future, with Arab states pushing for a solution that prioritizes Palestinian sovereignty and long-term stability in the region.