On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared their intent to “open the gates of hell” against Hamas if the organization does not return all remaining hostages.

During their meeting in Jerusalem, Netanyahu emphasized the shared commitment between Israel and the U.S. to confront the Palestinian militants, highlighting that the primary focus is the safe return of the hostages and the remains of those still held in Gaza.

In a joint statement, Netanyahu and Rubio remarked, “While we cannot disclose all the details of our strategy to the public, we assure you that hell will break loose if our hostages are not released, right up to the last one.”

The leaders stated, “Our goal is to dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities and its political governance in Gaza. We are committed to bringing all of our hostages home and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”

Rubio reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel during the second phase of negotiations, which aims to secure the release of all living hostages from Gaza, following the initial release of 33 hostages in the first phase.

The second phase will also outline the future governance of Gaza, determining who will lead the territory after 18 years under Hamas control.

While Israel has not identified an alternative governing body for Gaza, despite a year of U.S. efforts, Rubio remarked that it’s clear Hamas “cannot remain a military or governing entity.”

Rubio stated, “As long as Hamas exists as a governing or violent force, achieving peace becomes impossible. It must be destroyed.”

The militant group, currently acting as the de facto authority in Gaza during the ceasefire, has repeatedly asserted its desire to maintain its power as part of the ongoing negotiations.

In addition, Netanyahu reiterated his backing for President Trump’s contentious plan to evacuate over 2 million Palestinians from Gaza. This initiative would enable the U.S. to assume control of the area and oversee its reconstruction before allowing the displaced individuals to return.

Stressing that the U.S. would receive Israel’s “unequivocal support,” Netanyahu described this approach as the sole viable path for progress in the Middle East.

“Trump has introduced a bold and innovative vision, the only plan I believe can succeed,” Netanyahu asserted.

This proposal has faced widespread rejection from the Arab world, including nations like Egypt and Jordan, who have been approached to permanently resettle the refugees. Critics warn that forcibly evacuating the land could amount to “ethnic cleansing” of the Gaza Strip.

As Rubio embarks on his first regional tour of the Middle East as Secretary of State, he anticipates facing resistance regarding the plan but defended it once again on Sunday.

“The president has articulated a strong vision for the future of Gaza, which breaks free from the stale ideas of the past and represents something bold, requiring both courage and insight,” he stated.