Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to “open the gates of hell” in Gaza if Hamas does not release all hostages, highlighting a US-Israeli plan against the Palestinian militant group.
On Sunday, February 16, Netanyahu told visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that while the specifics of their approach could not be revealed to the public, Israel would respond decisively if the captives were not released.
“We will eliminate Hamas’s military capability and its political rule in Gaza,” the statement read. “We will bring all our hostages home, and we will ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”
Netanyahu emphasized the strong support of the United States, which he claimed will help Israel achieve its goals more quickly. He also emphasized his discussions with Rubio about US President Donald Trump’s vision for Gaza’s future.
Trump recently advocated that the US seize control of Gaza and turn it into a luxury destination, the “Riviera of the Middle East,” while moving the territory’s two million Palestinian citizens to other nations such as Egypt and Jordan. The initiative has aroused massive international opposition.
Rubio acknowledged the uproar around Trump’s proposal, but praised it as a daring and creative approach. He emphasized that the current cycle of conflict in Gaza could not continue and that Hamas must be removed as both a military and political force.
“The first priority for Trump is that the hostages held in Gaza since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack need to come home,” Rubio said.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
