Rubio Pushes Back Against Netanyahu's 70 Percent Gaza Seizure Plan

2026-06-03 05:58:04

(MENAFN) U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed back Tuesday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's push to expand military control over 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, making clear the move falls outside Washington's own blueprint for ending the war and rebuilding the territory.

Addressing lawmakers at a congressional hearing, Rubio was direct: "We have a plan -- it doesn't call for that."

Rubio elaborated on Washington's long-term vision for the battered territory, stating: "And at the end of the day, we understand that what we want, and I think what the Israelis would ultimately want, is a Gaza that is governed by a non-Hamas (entity)."

On Thursday, Netanyahu revealed he had issued a formal directive ordering the Israeli military to extend its control across the Gaza Strip, scaling its foothold from 60 percent to 70 percent of the territory.

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