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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that meaningful reconstruction in Gaza will remain stalled unless Hamas gives up its military capabilities.
Addressing a Congressional hearing, Rubio argued that ongoing security risks are preventing the next phase of recovery efforts from moving ahead.
“The goal now is to demilitarise Hamas,” Rubio said. “That is the impediment that’s holding up the rest of it.”
Rubio noted that discussions on Gaza’s future continue among international stakeholders, including talks on securing funding and establishing a new administrative framework for the territory.
According to Rubio, several governments and private-sector investors are willing to support Gaza’s rebuilding process, but uncertainty over future conflict remains a major concern.
“No one is going to invest there as long as Hamas is militarised, because as long as Hamas is militarised, they know that there’s going to be a war in the future,” he said.
Rubio’s remarks came during a tense exchange with Representative Rosa DeLauro, who sought clarity on the status of a broader US-backed peace initiative and highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Responding to criticism, Rubio insisted that Washington remains actively engaged in addressing the crisis.
Rubio proposed that a Palestinian authority unconnected to Hamas, with support from international partners, take charge of governing Gaza in the future.
“What we want, and I think what the Israelis would ultimately want, is a Gaza that is governed by a non-Hamas authority,” Rubio mentioned.
International Security Force Under Discussion
The US Secretary of State said international stakeholders are discussing how to create the conditions that would allow a stabilisation force to enter Gaza and maintain security.
“We should be having or want to have an international stabilisation force that goes in and provides the security,” he said.
Rubio added that pressure on Hamas is not coming solely from Washington, with several regional governments also pushing for disarmament.
Addressing reports about possible Israeli control of parts of Gaza, Rubio clarified that the US is not pursuing such proposals under its current plan.
The US Secretary of State also defended the US record on humanitarian assistance, highlighting the scale of aid already delivered to the territory.
“We spent hundreds of millions of dollars on humanitarian aid in Gaza already,” Rubio noted.
International efforts continue to focus on establishing a political framework that can prevent future conflict while enabling the reconstruction of housing, infrastructure, healthcare facilities and essential public services across Gaza.
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