US Talks with Egypt and Jordan Over Gaza, Hamas Accountability

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a key discussion with Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, emphasizing the importance of ensuring Hamas can never govern Gaza again. This conversation comes after US President Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion that Egypt and Jordan take in Palestinians from Gaza, an idea that was met with resistance from both countries.

Trump’s remarks, made on Saturday, proposed the idea of "cleaning out" Gaza in light of the ongoing conflict, which has seen thousands of deaths and severe humanitarian crises. Trump suggested that Palestinians be relocated to Egypt or Jordan, with no clear indication of whether this would be a temporary or permanent solution.

While the US State Department statement after Rubio's call with Abdelatty did not specifically reference Trump’s suggestion, it reiterated the US's stance on the importance of holding Hamas accountable and ensuring the group cannot continue to govern Gaza or pose a threat to Israel. Rubio’s statement underlined the necessity of close cooperation among regional partners to advance post-conflict planning in Gaza.

US-Supported Actions Against Hamas

The latest escalation in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking dozens of hostages. The US has repeatedly condemned Hamas for its actions, and Rubio’s statement reflects Washington’s commitment to ensuring that Hamas no longer wields power in Gaza.

In related news, US Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked Republican-led efforts to pass legislation imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to the arrest warrants it issued for Israeli officials. The ICC's warrants targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for their roles in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The Democratic filibuster highlighted the ongoing tension between US lawmakers over the ICC's stance and the broader conflict.

While Republicans pushed for sanctions against the ICC, claiming it was unfairly targeting Israel, the Biden administration refrained from backing such measures. Some senators, such as John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, expressed disappointment over the vote's outcome, aligning themselves with Israel’s position over the ICC’s actions.