Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a high-stakes press conference on Sunday, issued a stark warning to Hamas, vowing to “open the gates of hell” if all hostages held in Gaza were not returned.
Standing alongside visiting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Netanyahu emphasized a coordinated U.S.-Israeli approach to dismantling Hamas’s rule and ensuring long-term security in the region.
Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s unwavering commitment to eliminating Hamas’s military and political presence in Gaza. “We have a common strategy, and while we cannot always disclose every detail to the public, one thing is certain—if all our hostages are not released, there will be severe consequences,” he stated.
He underscored that Israel’s objectives remain clear: The total eradication of Hamas as a military and governing force, the safe return of all Israeli hostages and ensuring that Gaza never again poses a security threat to Israel.
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Netanyahu also highlighted the crucial role of U.S. support, saying, “The unequivocal backing of the United States will help us achieve these goals faster and reshape the future of Gaza.”
During their discussions, Netanyahu and Rubio also touched on U.S. President Donald Trump’s bold proposal for Gaza’s future.
Trump recently suggested that the U.S. could oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, transforming it into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” while relocating its two million Palestinian residents to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan.
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The proposal has sparked international outrage, with critics denouncing it as a forced displacement plan. However, Rubio defended Trump’s vision, acknowledging that while it may have “shocked and surprised” many, it represented a break from past approaches.
“The president has been bold in his vision for Gaza, rejecting the same failed ideas of the past,” Rubio said. “What cannot continue is the cycle of violence that leads back to the same crisis. Hamas cannot remain as a military or governing entity—it must be eliminated completely.”
Rubio also stressed that the immediate priority is the safe return of all hostages abducted during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. “The hostages need to come home. They need to be released,” he stated firmly.
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