US Secretary of State Marco Rubio moved Friday to reassure Israel over the planned international security force for Gaza, stressing that there is no alternative to President Donald Trump’s cease-fire plan and that Washington is working to ensure its success.
Speaking at the US-Israel Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel, Rubio acknowledged the difficulties in implementing the Gaza agreement but expressed optimism about the progress being made.
He described the coordination of the cease-fire and preparation for the stabilization force as “a historic mission,” noting that Washington and its partners are focused on maintaining the truce, facilitating aid deliveries, and preparing for the deployment of the multinational force into Gaza.
Rubio made clear that the composition of this force will be shaped around Israeli concerns.
“There’s a lot of countries that have offered to do it,” he said. “Obviously, as you put together this force, it will have to be people that Israel is comfortable with.”
When asked specifically about Türkiye’s participation, he reiterated that the force “will consist of countries that Israel accepts.”
The Secretary of State warned that if Hamas refuses to disarm, “it would constitute a breach of the agreement, and the necessary measures will be implemented.”
He praised Israel for meeting its commitments, saying: “We hope to create conditions that prevent Hamas control. This won’t happen next week, but we want people to feel safe - free from the fear of Hamas.”
Rubio emphasized that Washington is committed to ensuring Hamas does not govern Gaza in the future, pointing out that “there’s still an armed terrorist group on the other side of the cease-fire line, and we’ve seen them act against their own people.”
He stressed that a sustainable peace cannot exist “as long as there’s a force that threatens Israel’s security.” He also said no decision has been made on a potential role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza’s governance.
Rubio tied the cease-fire to broader regional diplomacy, saying more countries are ready to normalize relations with Israel under a wider regional agreement.
“A sustainable end to the war will encourage more countries to join the Abraham Accords,” he said. “We have a lot of countries that want to join.”
He dismissed the significance of the recent Knesset vote regarding annexing parts of the West Bank, calling it “a very stupid political stunt” aimed at embarrassing US Vice President J.D. Vance and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Suffice it to say, we don’t think it will happen,” he remarked.
Rubio also reaffirmed Washington’s stance on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, saying: “UNRWA cannot have a role in Gaza. It is a subsidiary of Hamas.”
In response, the agency said its presence “remains vital,” citing a recent advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice that affirmed there is no alternative to its role in supporting Gaza’s civilian population.
In a related development, the US State Department announced the appointment of Ambassador Steven Fagin as the civilian head of the Civil-Military Coordination Center overseeing the implementation of Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza.
Fagin, a veteran diplomat currently serving as US ambassador to Yemen, will work alongside Lieutenant General Patrick Frank, who was named the center’s military commander earlier this week.
