US Secretary Marco Rubio Supports Israel’s Military Occupation and Rejects Palestinian Governance in Gaza

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is supporting a security framework for Gaza that prioritizes Israel's interests and explicitly rejects Palestinian governance by Hamas or UNRWA.

During visits to a new Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel staffed by roughly 200 U.S. troops, Rubio emphasized that any international force must be acceptable to Israel.

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He made clear that UNRWA would not have a role in Gaza's future.

An Israeli outlet reported Rubio stating that neither Hamas nor UNRWA have any place in Gaza's future governance.

Rubio also framed Israel’s freedom of military action as non-negotiable, noting that Israel would not need U.S. permission to resume fighting.

These positions align his plan with Israel’s continued military control during a transitional phase.

Meanwhile, the on-the-ground center coordinates aid and reconstruction alongside Israeli forces and international personnel.

Rubio’s governance stance sidelines Palestinian leadership while elevating Israel’s veto power.

Israeli and Western reporting describe parallel tracks regarding Gaza’s administration.

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Hamas proposed handing administration to a temporary technocratic committee that excludes the Palestinian Authority and avoids issues of security and disarmament.

Multiple outlets report that a technocratic committee has been set up to manage daily life in Gaza.

Rubio’s camp signals that Gaza’s future should be negotiated by Israel and its partners, explicitly excluding Hamas and leaving the Palestinian Authority’s role undecided.

This approach reinforces Israeli control over who governs Gaza and under what terms.

Rubio’s security plan places Israel as gatekeeper over any international force and keeps tight external control over Gaza’s security space.

“Hamas, with the help of Egyptian excavation equipment, intensified efforts to locate the bodies of remaining hostages in Gaza amid ongoing tensions despite a recent ceasefire agreement with Israel”

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He and allied coverage say Israel must approve which countries join, with Israel reportedly rejecting Turkish participation.

Other outlets add that the U.S. may seek a UN mandate to enable troop contributions.

Asian and European reporting note Israel’s insistence on full security control and allied participation only on terms Israel accepts.

France signals support for a UN‑mandated stabilization force but avoids putting troops on the ground, even as French officers join the coordination hub in Israel.

Even as Rubio promotes this model, Israel continues lethal operations and maintains severe restrictions that produce mass Palestinian deaths and devastation in Gaza.

Outlets document resumed Israeli airstrikes during the ceasefire period and a halt to aid at Rafah.

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Mainstream and alternative sources report more than 68,000 Palestinian deaths, famine, and catastrophic damage to civilian infrastructure.

UNICEF reports 85% of schools are destroyed or unusable.

WHO urges opening all crossings for aid and medical evacuations.

Rubio’s insistence on excluding UNRWA persists even as rulings and reporting challenge claims about the agency.

Israel blocks UNRWA supplies, worsening the humanitarian emergency.

Rubio connects his approach to Gaza with broader regional influence and U.S. support for Israel’s firm stance.

He states that Israel does not require U.S. approval to resume fighting and that any military or governance plan must align with Israel’s conditions.

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Israeli leaders publicly reject the notion that Washington controls their decisions.

The dispute over the return of bodies intensifies the war rationale.

U.S. and Israeli sources report that Rubio pledged to secure the return of deceased hostages’ remains.

U.S. media say Israel accuses the militant group of withholding bodies, while West Asian sources quote the group saying Israeli destruction hinders recovery efforts.

Some reports show Israeli teams entering Gaza to retrieve remains as allies of Trump issue ultimatums.

This situation further reinforces a security-first approach rather than promoting Palestinian self-governance.