‘We Can’t Have a Palestinian State That’s Governed by Hamas’: Sec. Rubio States on Eve of Talks Between Israel and Hamas

Hamas must end its control over Gaza for America to even consider the idea of a Palestinian state, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday morning.

“In order for that aspiration to even be credible, it has to be realistic. We can’t have a Palestinian state that’s governed by Hamas or by some terrorist organization whose stated purpose for existence is the destruction of the Jewish state. That would never work,” Rubio said.

“Until Gaza is governed by people that are not interested in destroying Israel. Until there are no security threats emanating against Israel from Gaza, forget about statehood. You’re not going to have peace,” Rubio added.

Last Monday, during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump introduced a new peace plan, titled “Peace in the Middle East.” The 20-point peace plan demands the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and that Gaza must become a terror-free zone, ensuring that it will not pose any threat to Israel or any other neighboring country. Under the plan, Gaza would be temporarily run by a “technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee” consisting of “qualified Palestinians and international experts.”

On Monday, delegations from Israel and Hamas will meet in Egypt to discuss Trump’s peace proposal.

‘If we can’t even get an agreement on the hostages being released, you ain’t going to have long-term peace here,” Rubio continued. “So let’s get that peace done. It’s the most important, and then we can move on to phase two, which will give momentum to the rest of the effort. But this is not going to be easy. No one said this was going to be easy.”

“We are dealing with something that’s been going on for a very long time,” Rubio concluded.

The president shared on Truth Social a statement from Hamas on Oct. 4, accepting seven out of the 20 points in the proposed peace deal plan, including the exchange of the hostages—”both living and remains—according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange.”

“In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter, through the mediators, into negotiations and discuss the details.”

Trump wrote on the social media platform that Israel has also agreed to the conditions of the ceasefire, withdrawing its forces.

“When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal, which will bring us close to the end of this 3,000 YEAR CATASTROPHE,” Trump stated.

“Thank you for your attention to this matter and, STAY TUNED!”