JERUSALEM (AP) — On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his intention to pursue U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza, labeling it as “the only viable solution for creating a different future” for the region.

During discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is visiting the Middle East, Netanyahu received backing for Israel’s objectives in Gaza, asserting that Hamas “must be eliminated.” This endorsement has raised additional concerns about the fragile ceasefire, as negotiations for its second phase have yet to commence.

As Rubio prepares to visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, he may encounter significant resistance from Arab leaders regarding Trump’s proposal, which suggests U.S. redevelopment of Gaza. Although Netanyahu has claimed that any migration from Gaza should be “voluntary,” critics, including human rights advocates, argue that given the destruction in the area, the plan effectively amounts to coercion.

READ MORE: Trump states Palestinians would have no return rights under his U.S. control plan for Gaza

Netanyahu emphasized his and Trump’s “shared strategy” regarding Gaza. Echoing Trump’s sentiments, he warned that “hell will break loose” if Hamas fails to free the remaining hostages taken during the militant group’s assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which instigated the ongoing 16-month conflict.

The first phase of the ceasefire is set to conclude in two weeks. Talks aimed at the second phase, in which Hamas is expected to release remaining hostages in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting peace agreement, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, were supposed to start two weeks ago.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, informed Fox News that “phase two is definitely on track” and reported having “very productive” discussions with Netanyahu and officials from Egypt and Qatar over the weekend regarding the continuation of talks this week. These discussions included details about the release of hostages, indicating that 19 Israeli soldiers will be among those freed, and confirming that “we believe all of them are alive.”

Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel’s security cabinet will convene on Monday to deliberate on the second phase of the agreement.

Additionally, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced the receipt of a shipment of 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) MK-84 munitions from the United States. This delivery comes after the Biden administration previously halted such shipments last year due to concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza.

Resuming Hostilities Could Endanger Hostages

This week marks 500 days since the conflict began. Netanyahu has indicated a willingness to resume military operations following the current ceasefire phase, which might jeopardize the safety of remaining hostages.

Rubio stated that achieving peace is impossible as long as Hamas “continues to exist as a governing entity or a force that can threaten through violence,” emphasizing that it “must be eradicated.”

Despite suffering severe losses, Hamas has reasserted its control over Gaza since the ceasefire commenced last month.

Netanyahu has proposed that Hamas either surrender or allow its senior leaders to go into exile. Hamas has dismissed this offer, insisting on maintaining Palestinian governance. Spokesperson Abdul Latif al-Qanou told The Associated Press that the group is open to a unity government or a technocratic committee to manage Gaza.

Netanyahu has directed negotiators to head to Cairo on Monday to further address the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire, particularly concerning shelter material deliveries.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military confirmed conducting an airstrike targeting individuals who approached their forces in southern Gaza. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry reported that three police officers were killed while facilitating the entry of aid trucks near Rafah on the Egyptian border.

‘We’re Open to Better Plans’

In a recent interview, Rubio suggested that Trump’s proposal for Gaza partly seeks to motivate Arab countries to draft their postwar plans that would be acceptable to Israel.

Rubio indicated that Arab nations might need to deploy troops to confront Hamas.

“If Arabian nations have a more effective plan, then that’s fantastic,” Rubio stated on the “Clay and Buck Show” last Thursday. “However, Hamas possesses weapons. Someone needs to confront them; it won’t be American soldiers. If the regional countries can’t address this issue, Israel will have to.”

Interestingly, Rubio is not scheduled to meet with Palestinian representatives during his trip.

Limited Options for Arab Leaders

For Arab leaders, supporting the mass relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or engaging in military action against Palestinian militants on Israel’s behalf would likely lead to severe domestic backlash and risk destabilizing an already tense region.

Egypt is organizing an Arab summit for February 27 and collaborating with other nations on a counterproposal that would facilitate Gaza’s reconstruction without displacing its inhabitants. Human rights organizations argue that the forced expulsion of Palestinians could breach international law.

READ MORE: Egypt works against Trump’s Gaza Strip exodus proposal while Israel makes preparations

Egypt has cautioned that a large influx of Palestinians from Gaza could jeopardize its long-standing peace treaty with Israel, a critical component of U.S. influence in the area.

Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have also opposed any mass displacement of Palestinians.

The UAE played a pivotal role in the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and four Arab states—Bahrain, the UAE, Morocco, and Sudan. Trump aims to expand these accords to include Saudi Arabia, potentially offering strengthened U.S. defense ties, yet the kingdom insists on a clear pathway to a Palestinian state before proceeding with normalization.

Rubio’s itinerary does not include Egypt or Jordan—close U.S. allies at peace with Israel, both of whom have refused to accept any influx of Palestinian refugees. Trump has hinted at reducing U.S. aid as leverage against these nations, a move that could have devastating economic repercussions.

Rubio is also skipping a visit to Qatar.

Arab and Muslim nations have made any support for postwar Gaza conditional on a return to Palestinian governance that includes a path to statehood encompassing Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem—territories Israel occupied during the 1967 Middle East war.

Israel has ruled out any Palestinian state and denies the Palestinian Authority, which had been ousted from Gaza by Hamas in 2007, any role in the future governance of the region.

Natalie Melzer reported from Nahariya, Israel. Samy Magdy contributed from Cairo.