Rubio: US open to Arab proposals on Gaza

Israeli soldiers will be departing Lebanese territory, transferring control of the area to the Lebanese Army under a French-American-brokered ceasefire agreement, a senior Israeli security minister stated. This truce, in effect from November 27, requires the deployment of Lebanon’s military in the south alongside United Nations peacekeepers, with the withdrawal of the Israeli army initially scheduled for more than 60 days, then later extended to February 18. Throughout these weeks, Hezbollah will also have to withdraw its fighters from the area near the Israeli border.

The government, said on condition of anonymity, emphasized that Israel remains committed to the U.S.-monitored accord and is working closely with the U.S. to finalize the handover of responsibility to the Lebanese Army on schedule. But Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri stated that the U.S. informed him that Israel wishes to retain five locations following withdrawal, which Lebanon rejects. The Israeli official from the government refused to answer if the pullout includes the five areas, but did admit the military is proceeding with an agreement to turn over control along the Blue Line to the Lebanese Army.

Despite the planned pullout, Israel continues to monitor Hezbollah’s actions, noting attempts to break the agreement through acts such as penetration of southern borders in civilian attire, regaining or relocating weapons, and smuggling weapons within the Bekaa Valley. Both the U.N. and Hezbollah have accused Israel of ceasefire violations.

The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel grew more intense for longer than a year, resulting in two months of intense battle before the November 27 agreement came into force. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, said that its combat was in support of Hamas in Gaza, where Israel had been engaged in a protracted war for over a year before a tentative truce was brokered in January.

In recent developments, Arab nations, led by Saudi Arabia and Egypt, are competing to develop an alternative Gaza plan, in reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries. The new Egyptian plan revolves around the governance of Gaza without Hamas, foreign participation in reconstruction, and transitioning towards a two-state solution. The plan is to be discussed at an upcoming Arab summit on February 27.

In addition to that, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Israel and other Arab nations from 13 to 18 February, following President Trump’s provocative proposal that the U.S. should take over Gaza. During his visit, Rubio will focus on Gaza’s situation and the implications of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.

These diplomatic efforts underscore the complex and dynamic character of the Middle East as regional and global actors move to contain existing tensions and search for durable solutions.