After Vance, Marco Rubio Heads to Israel for Ceasefire Talks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ j. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv amid efforts to reinforce the Gaza ceasefire. As diplomatic talks continue, uncertainty looms over Gaza’s future governance and international security involvement. The visit follows escalating tensions and recent hostage body returns.
Rubio-Netanyahu Gaza Talks Quick Looks
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio to meet PM Netanyahu Friday
- Visit aims to strengthen fragile Gaza ceasefire agreement
- Netanyahu asserts Israel’s independence in security matters
- VP JD Vance, Jared Kushner, and envoy Steve Witkoff also in region
- Uncertainty surrounds Gaza’s governance and security force deployment
- Two more hostages’ bodies identified and returned to Israel
- 54 Palestinian bodies buried in Gaza amid torture concerns
- Gaza health group reports armed group takeover of facility
- Israel to repatriate body of Thai hostage killed in 2023
- Over 68,000 Palestinians killed since war began, Gaza officials report
Deep Look
Marco Rubio to Meet Netanyahu as U.S. Works to Stabilize Gaza Ceasefire
TEL AVIV, Israel — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Friday to discuss progress on the ongoing Gaza ceasefire, Israeli officials confirmed Wednesday. The high-level diplomatic visit marks another major step in the Trump administration’s push to cement the fragile truce and shape postwar Gaza policy.
The announcement follows recent meetings between Israeli leaders and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who arrived earlier this week to assess the situation on the ground alongside U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump advisor Jared Kushner.
Netanyahu Emphasizes Israeli Autonomy on Security
Ahead of Rubio’s arrival, Netanyahu struck a firm tone, declaring Israel will remain fully in control of its security decisions. “We are not a protectorate of the United States,” Netanyahu said. “Israel is the one that will decide on its security.”
His comments appeared aimed at preempting domestic criticism over the possible deployment of an international security force in Gaza — a proposal still under discussion as part of ceasefire enforcement plans.
Netanyahu’s remarks came just before his Wednesday meeting with Vice President Vance, who echoed both optimism and realism about the road ahead.
“There’s a lot of work to do,” Vance said. “But I feel very optimistic about where we are.”
Questions Over Gaza’s Future Governance
As part of broader ceasefire efforts, key questions remain unresolved: Who will govern Gaza in the long term, and what role, if any, will foreign troops play?
Vance said Tuesday that international discussions are underway about forming a security force. He named Turkey and Indonesia as potential contributors, while Britain has already committed to sending a small number of military officers to assist in ceasefire monitoring.
Meanwhile, local concerns are growing about Gaza’s future, especially with the lack of clarity surrounding leadership and oversight mechanisms.
Bodies of Two More Hostages Identified
On the humanitarian front, the Israeli military confirmed Wednesday that it had completed the identification of two more hostages whose remains were recovered in Gaza: Arie Zalmanovich and Tamir Adar. Both were killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, which ignited the current war.
So far, 15 sets of hostage remains have been returned since the ceasefire began on October 10. Another 13 are still believed to be in Gaza, and their return remains a condition of the ceasefire terms.
Funeral Prayers for Palestinian Victims
At the same time, in Gaza’s Khan Younis, dozens of mourners gathered outside Nasser Hospital to perform funeral prayers for 54 Palestinians whose bodies, wrapped in white shrouds, were lined up for burial. These are among 165 bodies that Israel sent back to Gaza last week.
A senior Gaza health official said some of the bodies bore signs of torture, calling for an international investigation. Israel has not confirmed the identities or provided an explanation for how or when these individuals died. They could include those killed during the initial Hamas attacks, detainees who died in custody, or bodies recovered during military operations.
Of the 165 bodies, 52 have been identified so far, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Armed Group Seizes Gaza Mental Health Facility
Adding to the region’s instability, the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme — a prominent Palestinian NGO — reported that an armed group seized one of its Gaza City facilities on October 13. In a statement issued Wednesday, the organization said the group forced out security personnel and repurposed the building for housing their families.
“This blatant attack and serious crime represents a flagrant violation of all laws and norms,” the group stated. Despite reporting the takeover immediately, no concrete action has been taken to restore the facility, they added. The NGO called on Palestinian authorities and ceasefire sponsors to intervene.
Farewell to Thai Hostage Victim
Israel also paid tribute Wednesday to Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai farmworker killed during the October 7 Hamas assault. His body, recently returned from Gaza, will be flown back to Thailand for burial.
Oakkharasri was one of the many foreign nationals caught in the 2023 attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in the abduction of 251 individuals.
A ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport was scheduled to honor him. The Families’ Headquarters for the Return of the Abductees described Oakkharasri as “a devoted father and farmer who dreamed of establishing his own farm.”
The Toll of War
Since the conflict began in October 2023, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that over 68,000 Palestinians have been killed. The tally, which includes both civilians and militants, is considered credible by United Nations agencies and independent observers, though Israel disputes the figures and has not released its own full count.
As Secretary Rubio prepares to arrive for his meeting with Netanyahu, his visit is expected to further shape the evolving terms of peace — and determine how the U.S. and its allies help stabilize the region, both politically and militarily.
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