Washington – The United States is not seeking to administer the Gaza Strip, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, emphasizing that any agreement hinges on transferring governance to a civilian Palestinian entity. Rubio acknowledged that establishing such an entity will require time.
“The Israelis don’t want to govern Gaza, we don’t want to govern Gaza, and no country in the Middle East wants to govern Gaza,” Rubio said. He added that building the necessary capabilities for Palestinian governance will take time and that security must be provided during the transition period.
Rubio expressed optimism regarding a potential United Nations Security Council resolution on Gaza that would support the deployment of an international security force. “We feel optimistic. I think we’re making good progress on the wording of the resolution, and we hope to take action on it very soon,” he told reporters after a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Canada.
The Secretary of State further stated that the United States is in discussions with various countries regarding ways to “balance their interests here and ways to organize this beyond a security force.”
The envisioned multinational force, potentially comprising troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, is reportedly part of President Donald Trump’s plan to halt the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The United States began circulating a draft resolution last week aimed at facilitating a ceasefire in Gaza, an initiative that Trump has actively championed.
Rubio believes the deployment of an international force within the Palestinian enclave is crucial for enabling increased humanitarian aid and marginalizing Hamas. “If you really want to see a significant improvement – not just in humanitarian assistance, but in redevelopment – you’re going to need security,” he stated.
According to an American official, President Trump’s aides are making progress in talks aimed at resolving the issue of Hamas militants in Rafah. They are reportedly promoting a compromise with the involved parties regarding the fighters.
The official affirmed that efforts to locate and return the remaining Israeli bodies are ongoing, highlighting this as a critical element in maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza. The official also indicated that the situation in Gaza remains highly fragile and that they are continuing to work with international partners to maintain the trajectory of the peace plan.
