Rubio Visits Gaza Ceasefire Center Amid Peace Push/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio toured a U.S.-led coordination center in Israel managing the fragile Gaza ceasefire and ongoing reconstruction plans. As Washington works to assemble an international security force, Rubio emphasized the need for clear mandates and regional support. He also ruled out any role for UNRWA in future aid efforts.
Gaza Ceasefire Coordination – Quick Looks
- Rubio visits center: U.S. Secretary of State visits Israel-based ceasefire operations hub.
- Global presence: 200 U.S. troops and allies from six nations helping stabilize Gaza.
- New leadership: Adm. Brad Cooper (military) and Steven Fagin (civilian) to lead coordination center.
- International force planned: U.S. seeks UN mandate to legitimize Gaza stabilization mission.
- UNRWA excluded: Rubio says Hamas links disqualify agency from participating.
- Humanitarian crisis: Gaza families live in rubble as aid and shelter remain scarce.
- Rebuilding ahead: Up to a dozen groups expected to help with recovery and logistics.
- Tensions over aid: UN court pushes for UNRWA access; Israel continues to block supplies.
Deep Look: Rubio Tours U.S.-Led Gaza Ceasefire Center as Washington Builds Stabilization Strategy
KIRYAT GAT, Israel — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio toured a key U.S.-led coordination center in southern Israel on Friday, reaffirming American commitment to stabilizing Gaza as part of an international effort to uphold a tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Located near Kiryat Gat, the center coordinates military and civilian operations to implement the truce and manage early rebuilding efforts. Rubio’s visit follows earlier appearances by Vice President JD Vance, presidential adviser Jared Kushner, and envoy Steve Witkoff, signaling the Trump administration’s intensive focus on the conflict’s aftermath.
“We’ve faced real challenges, but there’s a lot to be proud of in the first 10 to 12 days of implementation,” Rubio said during his tour.
200 U.S. Troops, Multinational Coordination Underway
The center, which features personnel from the U.S., Israel, and a coalition of international partners including Cyprus, Greece, France, Germany, Australia, and Canada, is tasked with guiding the region through this volatile transition.
Stabilization Force in Development
Rubio confirmed the U.S. is working with allies—particularly Gulf Arab states—to assemble an international stabilization force that could operate in Gaza. This multinational deployment would focus on training a future Palestinian security force and securing the territory during reconstruction.
However, Rubio stressed that any force would require a clear legal mandate, ideally from the United Nations, to ensure participation from countries that legally require such authorization.
“What’s the mandate? Who’s in charge? What are the rules of engagement?” Rubio asked. “Countries need clarity before they commit forces. And Israel must approve who participates.”
Rubio’s diplomatic tour included a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. Israeli media mockingly referred to the influx of American visits as “Bibi-sitting” — a play on Netanyahu’s nickname and an old campaign ad implying he’s the only trustworthy babysitter for Israel.
Gaza’s Dire Humanitarian Conditions Persist
While diplomacy and logistics are being hashed out, the situation in Gaza City remains dire. Thousands of families are returning to destroyed homes, with little access to shelter, food, or basic medical supplies.
“I’m sitting in front of my house — what’s left of it — and I have nowhere else to go,” said Kamal Al-Yazji, who now lives in a makeshift tent. “We’re being bitten by mosquitos, wild dogs are everywhere, and we can’t buy food. Shopkeepers won’t even accept our torn banknotes.”
His home, once a three-story building housing 13 people, is now rubble. Like many others, Al-Yazji is surviving on scraps and small fires made from sponges to cook coffee.
U.S. Freezes Out UNRWA from Aid Plans
Rubio said a coalition of about a dozen aid groups, including UN agencies, would support humanitarian and rebuilding efforts — but notably excluded UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency that has operated in Gaza for decades.
“UNRWA became a subsidiary of Hamas,” Rubio said. “We’re willing to work with other UN organizations, but not UNRWA.”
This stance contradicts a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ordered Israel to allow UNRWA to resume delivering humanitarian aid in Gaza. The ICJ deemed access essential amid worsening conditions.
UNRWA says 6,000 trucks filled with aid are waiting to enter Gaza. Although Israel has blocked UNRWA from operating since March, the agency continues to run health clinics, mobile medical teams, schools, and sanitation services for displaced Gazans.
Still, Netanyahu’s government and many far-right members of the Israeli coalition claim UNRWA is compromised by Hamas, prompting calls for its permanent expulsion.
What’s Next for Gaza?
While the ceasefire appears to be holding for now, the long-term stability of Gaza hinges on diplomatic, logistical, and humanitarian collaboration — and sustained buy-in from skeptical regional partners.
The U.S. hopes to formalize its stabilization force structure in the coming weeks. Aid must reach the people. And political will must hold. The road to recovery for Gaza remains long and fraught with political tension, but for now, groundwork is being laid.
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