Washington, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that implementing the second and third phases of the Gaza agreement could take over three years. His remarks come as U.S. envoys are scheduled to meet with officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey in Miami today to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Speaking at a press conference in Washington, D.C., Secretary Rubio emphasized the importance of completing the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza to facilitate the transition to the second phase. “We are eager to finalize this phase of the agreement to ensure the flow of aid and move towards reconstruction,” he stated. “We want to reach a stage where security is an integral part of the humanitarian aid delivery process.”
Rubio expressed Washington’s desire to accelerate the establishment of a stabilization force in Gaza and the formation of a technocratic government, believing it would streamline aid delivery. He acknowledged the challenges involved, stating, “It is not easy.”
He highlighted the Gaza conflict as one of the most significant challenges facing the Trump administration and touted the ceasefire as a major accomplishment. “I have great confidence that we have a number of countries acceptable to all parties involved who are willing to participate in the stabilization force,” Rubio said, noting Pakistan’s offer to contribute.
The Secretary of State accused Hamas of violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement by firing on Israeli soldiers, asserting that “if Hamas can threaten or attack Israel in the future, there will be no peace, and no one can be persuaded to invest money in Gaza if they believe a new war will break out in two or three years.”
Rubio stressed that a successful donor conference on Gaza cannot be held until the security situation in the Strip is stabilized. He also accused UNRWA of corruption, stating that the agency is beyond repair and that aid can be delivered to Gaza without relying on the UN organization.
