Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Saturday, marking his first visit to the Middle East since President Trump's controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. Trump initially suggested on January 25th that Egypt and Jordan absorb the Palestinian population, a notion firmly rejected by both countries. Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 4th, Trump further surprised the international community by proposing that the U.S. take control of Gaza, redeveloping it into a "Riviera of the Middle East" after resettling its 2.2 million Palestinian residents. Trump later clarified on February 10th that Palestinians would not have the right to return under this plan, contradicting earlier statements from his administration suggesting a temporary relocation.

Rubio's visit comes as the region grapples with the aftermath of Israel's military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, including widespread displacement and food shortages. The conflict, ignited by a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 that claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis and resulted in approximately 250 hostages, has further intensified long-standing tensions. The Gaza health ministry reports over 47,000 Palestinian casualties since the start of the Israeli offensive 16 months ago. A State Department official stated that Rubio's discussions during his trip will focus on the Gaza situation, the repercussions of the Hamas attack, and advancing Trump's disruptive approach to regional diplomacy.