The Gaza conflict is far from over, said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing that the release of hostages held by Hamas remains the immediate goal. Speaking on Sunday, Rubio explained that while progress has been made on a deal proposed by President Donald Trump, much of the long-term framework for Gaza’s future still needs to be finalized.
Focus on Hostage Release
Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Rubio confirmed that Hamas had “basically agreed” to President Trump’s proposal regarding the release of hostages. The discussions, he said, had entered a technical phase focused on logistics and coordination.
“Priority number one,” Rubio stressed, “is the release of all the hostages in exchange for Israel moving back to the yellow line — the position it held within Gaza in mid-August.”
He added that this step would represent the first phase of the broader peace process. “We think this is something we can achieve quickly, hopefully,” he noted, while warning that nothing was guaranteed.
Talks Enter Sensitive Phase
Rubio said ongoing meetings were working out the operational details of the hostage exchange, including how to verify compliance from both sides. However, he cautioned that the United States would soon know whether Hamas was serious about its commitments.
“No one can tell you it’s a 100 percent guarantee,” he told Fox News Sunday. “But we’ll know very quickly whether Hamas intends to follow through or not.”
His remarks came as negotiators from multiple countries, including Egypt and Qatar, continued efforts to broker an agreement that could bring an end to the violence and begin a political transition for Gaza.
Read: Pakistan Seeks Safe Return of Citizens Detained in Flotilla Raid
A Complex Second Phase Ahead
While the immediate focus is on the humanitarian side of the crisis, Rubio said the second phase — determining Gaza’s long-term governance and security — will be far more difficult.
“What happens after Israel pulls back to the yellow line, and potentially beyond that, as this thing develops?” he asked. “How do you create a Palestinian technocratic leadership that’s not Hamas?”
Rubio outlined a series of challenges that would follow the withdrawal: disarming militant factions, dismantling tunnel networks, and preventing renewed attacks on Israel. “All that work is going to be hard,” he admitted, “but it’s critical, because without that, you’re not going to have lasting peace.”
Washington’s Diplomatic Balancing Act
The Biden administration has faced growing pressure to balance its support for Israel with the urgent need to end civilian suffering in Gaza. Rubio, representing the current administration’s diplomatic approach under President Trump’s continued influence in foreign policy discussions, has repeatedly said the United States must ensure that any peace plan secures Israel’s safety while addressing Palestinian aspirations for governance.
He reiterated that the US remained committed to supporting Israel’s security operations but also recognized the importance of rebuilding Gaza under new, non-Hamas leadership. “We need a structure that ensures Hamas cannot return to power,” Rubio said. “At the same time, we have to create conditions where ordinary Palestinians can live in dignity and stability.”
Challenges of Building a New Gaza
Analysts say the second phase Rubio described — the reconstruction and political realignment of Gaza — is fraught with complications. Finding a legitimate and functional governing authority that can both manage the territory and gain the trust of the population remains one of the biggest obstacles.
Efforts to create a transitional authority have stalled in the past due to internal Palestinian divisions between Hamas and Fatah, as well as Israel’s reservations about allowing any armed or semi-autonomous Palestinian body near its borders.
Rubio acknowledged these difficulties, saying that even if the hostages are freed and fighting pauses, “the road ahead will require international involvement, significant funding, and careful security arrangements.”
The Path Toward Lasting Peace
Asked whether the United States envisions a permanent ceasefire soon, Rubio responded cautiously. “This war has not yet ended,” he said firmly. “We are still in the early stages of implementing a framework that can eventually stop the violence.”
He added that for any peace to last, there must be “complete demobilization of armed groups and a credible security mechanism that prevents future hostilities.” Without that, he warned, “we’ll just end up in another cycle of violence.”
Regional Implications
Rubio’s comments come at a time when tensions across the Middle East remain high. Cross-border exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah along the Lebanon frontier have raised fears of a wider regional conflict. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies report worsening conditions in Gaza, where medical supplies and food remain in short supply.
The US has been coordinating closely with regional partners, including Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar, to stabilize the situation. Rubio praised these efforts, saying they were essential for achieving both the short-term goal of releasing hostages and the longer-term aim of reshaping Gaza’s governance.
A Defining Moment for Gaza’s Future
Rubio concluded by emphasizing that success in this phase could set the stage for a more sustainable peace across the region. “If we can get this right,” he said, “it won’t just bring relief to the hostages and their families — it could change the trajectory of the Middle East.”
He warned, however, that failure to act decisively could lead to renewed instability. “We’re at a critical juncture,” he said. “How we handle the next few weeks will determine whether Gaza has a chance at peace or faces another generation of conflict.”
As negotiations continue behind closed doors, the world watches to see whether this delicate diplomatic moment — marked by fragile agreements and cautious optimism — can finally bring an end to the bloodshed in Gaza and open the door to lasting peace.
Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,, X and TikTok for latest updates
