Marco Rubio backs Trump's Gaza proposal as he visits Israel in first Middle East tour

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began his first tour of the Middle East since becoming the US top diplomat with a visit to Israel.

Rubio met with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, where the pair discussed US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to transfer the Palestinian population out of the Gaza Strip and permanently relocate them to other countries.

At a joint press conference with Netanyahu, Rubio acknowledged that Trump’s views were bold, and may have shocked or surprised many, but insisted a change is needed to secure a different future for the region.

“What cannot continue is the same cycle where we repeat over and over again and wind up in the exact same place,” said Rubio.

Rubio says Trump’s plan required courage to outline as he praised the 47th US President for his “clear and unambiguous” speaking style. The US Secretary of State also noted that Hamas must be completely eliminated and eradicated to ensure a lasting peace.

“Hamas cannot continue as a military or government force. And frankly, as long as it stands as a force that can govern or as a force that can administer, or as a force that can threaten by use of violence, peace becomes impossible.”

Netanyahu signalled on Sunday that he was moving ahead with Trump’s proposal. The plan was announced last week in the White House after the Israeli premier met the US president in Washington. Netanyahu called the proposal the “only viable plan to enable a different future”.

Netanyahu said he and Trump are working in “full cooperation and coordination”, before praising Trump and calling him “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House”.

The Israeli leader also warned that the “gates of hell will be opened” if Hamas does not comply with the terms of the ceasefire agreement. He added that he’s been discussing Israel’s response in that case with Trump, but didn’t offer more detail on what was planned.

“We have a common strategy and we can’t always share the details of this strategy with the public”, said Netanyahu.

Rubio and Netanyahu also discussed an array of other regional issues. Netanyahu announced that Israel is committed to the ceasefire understandings with Lebanon and says he expects the new Lebanese government to display equal commitment.

Syria was also on the agenda, where the pair discussed Israeli responses to any conflicts or violence that may arise. Israel says it is ready to defend itself against any attacks on its territory and warned of escalating tensions or provoking them.

Rubio will be visiting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates next as part of his tour. In Riyadh, Rubio and his delegation are also set to meet with Ukrainian and Russian officials to discuss ways to end Moscow's almost three-year-long war in Ukraine.

The US Secretary of State has opted to skip Egypt and Jordan, two regional US allies, after they refused to accept any influx of Palestinian refugees, to which Trump warned he might slash US aid if they don’t comply, carrying potentially devastating consequences to both countries’ economies.