News

Gaza Ceasefire in Jeopardy: U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Visits Tel Aviv Amid Fatal Israeli Airstrike in Rafah

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Watan-As the Gaza ceasefire enters its 29th day, efforts continue to initiate the second phase of negotiations between the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and the Israeli occupation forces. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the Security Cabinet will convene soon to make decisions regarding the Gaza agreement, amid increasing domestic and international pressure on Tel Aviv to finalize the deal.

On Saturday, Hamas stated that “the resumption of the exchange process came in accordance with our commitment to the mediators and obtaining guarantees to oblige the occupation to the agreement,” indicating that the movement awaits “the occupation’s implementation of the humanitarian protocol based on the mediators’ promises and guarantees.”

Hamas-Israel agreement
Gaza ceasefire agreement

Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Saturday, amid escalating international pressure to resume negotiations on the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal and the Gaza ceasefire. Israeli public broadcaster reported that Rubio arrived in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, where he was received by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. This marks the first visit by the American Secretary to Israel and the region since assuming office on January 21.

Gaza ceasefire negotiations
Marco Rubio Tel Aviv visit

Within Israel, thousands of Israelis demonstrated on Saturday evening in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, supporting the continuation of the prisoner exchange deal and the implementation of its second phase with Hamas. Earlier on Saturday, families of Israeli prisoners held in the Gaza Strip affirmed that they would not allow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to obstruct the execution of the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal.

Related Articles

Back to top button