Rubio lands in Israel, says Hamas cannot continue to exist

Secretary of State Marco Rubio lands in Israel, calls for an end to the Hamas terror organization while emphasizing Trump’s call to conclude the Gaza war.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to back Israeli demands for dismantling the Hamas terror organization as a condition for ending the war in the Gaza Strip, even as he emphasized the Trump administration’s desire to conclude the conflict that has lasted nearly two years.

 Rubio arrived in Israel Sunday morning, days after President Donald Trump vented his frustrations with the Netanyahu government over its attack last week on a Hamas gathering in Qatar.

 Speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Saturday before departing for Israel, Rubio said that his trip was meant to highlight the “very strong” relationship between the US and Israel, while noting the White House’s disagreements with Israel regarding last Tuesday’s Doha bombing.

 “Obviously we’re concerned that events last week, he didn’t like the way it went down. He’s expressed that publicly,” Rubio said.

 The secretary added that Trump “wants this conflict to end,” a goal he noted would include getting “rid of Hamas.”

 Trump, Rubio continued, “wants all the hostages out, all 48 of them, living and deceased.”

“He wants Hamas defeated, he wants the war to end.”

 Responding to questions regarding Israel’s decision last week to move forward with construction plans in the contentious E-1 area east of Jerusalem – a move Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared would block a two-state solution – Rubio downplayed Israel’s actions, blaming the United Nations General Assembly vote endorsing unilateral Palestinian statehood.

 “That is an Israeli reaction to efforts around the world to recognize a Palestinian state, including from countries in Europe and Canada and others that have signed on to this thing.”

 “That’s the Israeli response to that. And we warned them. We warned a lot of these countries around the world that that’s what would happen, or what we thought might happen, if they went ahead with this.”

 After departing for Israel, Rubio tweeted that the termination of Hamas is a necessary precondition for Mideast peace.

 “On my way to Jerusalem. My focus will be on securing the return of hostages, finding ways to make sure humanitarian aid reaches civilians, and addressing the threat posed by Hamas.”

 “Hamas cannot continue to exist if peace in the region is the goal.”