US Secretary of State Rubio: Countries Israel feels comfortable with must be in Gaza

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made statements to members of the press at the US Civil-Military Coordination Center as part of his official visit to Israel. Rubio stated that efforts are continuing to protect the ceasefire process in the Gaza Strip and deliver humanitarian aid, as well as to establish an international peacekeeping force to ensure security in Gaza. The US Secretary of State said, "This involves bringing together all states that have offered to provide personnel and resources, determining the structure of a stabilization force, coordinating countries willing to provide money or personnel or both, and then establishing the legal basis for this force through an appropriate international mandate, the United Nations (UN), or an international agreement. Thus, this security force will be able to exist, function, be financed, clearly understand its mission, and carry it out effectively. Beyond this, there is the long-term reconstruction and recovery process."

Emphasizing that the current process must be completed before reaching the goal of establishing security and peace in Gaza, Rubio said, "This means ensuring the ceasefire continues without breaking, delivering the vital aid people need without it being stolen, extorted, or diverted, and at the same time, ensuring the necessary conditions for the stabilization force to be formed and enter the field as soon as possible. Only in this way can the environment of stability we need be created and we can move on to the next stages of the plan."

QUESTIONED ON WHETHER TURKEY WILL PARTICIPATE

Rubio, in response to a question about Turkey's participation in the international peacekeeping force to be deployed to Gaza, said, "We have not formed this force yet, and that is why work is ongoing. There are many countries that have offered to do this. But this force will need to consist of personnel and countries that Israel will feel comfortable with."

Emphasizing that many countries also want to be included in the peacekeeping force, Rubio said, "I will not say who has made offers and who has been vetoed. We will not go into that. Every member of this force must be both capable and willing. At the same time, they must be countries that everyone, including Israel, will feel comfortable with."

"WE BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ISRAEL'S SECURITY"

In response to an Israeli journalist's question, "Are Israel's military decisions regarding Gaza being made in Washington? If it is determined that Hamas is rearming, can Israel restart the war independently? Do we need permission from the US?", Rubio said, "If I were you, I would not phrase it that way. To put it briefly, there is no country in the world that contributes more to Israel and Israel's security than the US. As you know, the President dealt a blow to Iran during the 12-day war that other presidents were not willing to do. The partnership will continue. We are very committed to Israel's security and to supporting Israel. At the same time, we also believe that this is important for Israel's long-term security."

Stating that the plan envisions the disarmament of Gaza and that they are determined in this, Rubio said, "But I would not phrase your question the way you asked it. I don't think this has anything to do with permission. This is fundamentally about all of us being committed to making this plan work." The US Secretary underlined the ideas that the peace to be achieved in the region must be final, saying, "There is no Plan B. This is the best plan. This is the only one. This is the plan we think can be achieved. No matter how impossible it may seem, we think this is the path to success. A month or six weeks ago, no one could have imagined that so much progress would be made on the hostage crisis, that all of them would be rescued."

The US Secretary, in response to a question about whether the Israeli army would intervene if Hamas refuses to disarm, said, "If Hamas refuses to lay down its arms, this would mean a violation of the agreement." Emphasizing that he would not go into the mechanisms by which the disarmament will be implemented, Rubio said, "But it will have to be implemented. This is an agreement and its terms must be met. Israel has fulfilled its own commitments. They are currently standing on the yellow line, and this is a situation dependent on disarmament. In short, we will create conditions where Hamas cannot find support. Because this structure will disappear. We want to see a Gaza without Hamas."

Stating that this is a long-term project, the US Secretary of State said, "We want to create conditions where real life, work, trade, and a better future can be built." Emphasizing that this is not just the US's plan, Rubio said, "More than 20 countries, including regional powers, have signed this plan. Arab countries, countries with Muslim majorities, have given assurances that Gaza will be disarmed and that Hamas will no longer have the capacity to threaten Israel."

"THE PROGRESS IS HISTORIC"

Regarding allegations that Hamas will play a role in the administration of Gaza, Rubio said, "All parties that signed this plan, all these countries, have agreed that Hamas will not be able to govern the future of Gaza and will not take part in the administration. Everyone agrees on this. Therefore, this has to be part of the plan, but we are not at that stage yet. We are currently at the stage where we are trying to maintain the ceasefire. We are at the stage of ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid. We are at the stage of ensuring that the commitments made, including the issue of hostages, are fulfilled."

Stating that achieving all the items in the peace plan will require a long time and effort, Rubio said, "It hasn't even been two weeks yet. The progress made in the 12 or 14 days since this agreement was made is historic." Emphasizing that the US is determined to realize the plan, Secretary Rubio said, "This will create a significant change. It will positively change Israel's long-term security, the structure and nature of the region. We are determined to bring this to life."

"UNRWA HAS TURNED INTO AN EXTENSION OF HAMAS"

In response to a question about the role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the UN organization that provides aid to Palestinian refugees, in Gaza, Rubio said, "UNRWA will play no role in this process. The UN is here. We see the work of the World Food Programme and also non-profit non-governmental organizations and humanitarian aid organizations."

Stating that they are ready to partner with these organizations, Rubio said, "But we are not ready to cooperate with UNRWA. UNRWA has turned into an extension of Hamas."

Regarding the question about the annexation of the West Bank and whether an assurance was received from Israel that this would not be done, Rubio said, "This was a vote taken in the Israeli Parliament. According to what was explained to me, this was an initiative by some circles who wanted to put Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a difficult position. More importantly, it is not structured in a way that would legally allow this to happen. Furthermore, this would threaten the entire process. Everyone must understand that if something like this happens, many countries involved in this process will no longer want to be involved. This is a threat to the peace process, and everyone knows it."