Overview
- Touring the new Civil‑Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, Rubio said about 200 U.S. troops are working with Israeli and foreign personnel, with U.S. diplomats joining the monitoring effort led by Ambassador Steven Fagin.
- Rubio reiterated that Hamas must demilitarize under the phased deal and warned refusal would violate the agreement, though he declined to detail enforcement steps.
- The U.S. is drafting language for a possible UN mandate for an international force in Gaza, and Rubio said Israel will have veto power over participating countries, with Turkey’s role in dispute.
- Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of breaching the truce and urged Washington to apply pressure through measures such as sanctions or halting arms sales; Israel has alleged Hamas violations as the ceasefire remains fragile.
- Palestinian factions in Cairo announced support for a temporary technocrat committee to run daily governance in Gaza, while Rubio ruled out a role for UNRWA despite the International Court of Justice urging Israel to allow the agency’s aid, and WHO reported aid levels remain insufficient.