Washington – Saba:
The American news website Axios reported on Saturday that former President Donald Trump’s national security team is reviewing its failed strategy on Gaza, which has not succeeded in achieving a ceasefire six months into Trump’s return to the White House.
According to Axios, citing unnamed senior officials, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated a potential shift in strategy. Rubio reportedly stated that the Trump team has never been satisfied with the Biden administration’s approach to Gaza, which was based on temporary ceasefires in exchange for the release of some hostages. He stressed the need for a more sustainable solution.
During a meeting Friday with families of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza, Rubio said, “We need to seriously reconsider our strategy in Gaza, and we will present President Trump with new options on this issue.”
In remarks on Friday, Trump claimed that the ceasefire process in Gaza stalled because “Hamas withdrew from the negotiations,” a claim the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has categorically denied, affirming its readiness to continue negotiations.
In a joint statement on Friday, six members of Congress called on the Trump administration to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes—to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and ensure the prompt return of the prisoners. They described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “horrific and unacceptable.”
The lawmakers also urged Trump’s administration to pressure Netanyahu to implement a complete overhaul—or shut down—the so-called “Gaza Humanitarian Mission,” and to resume support for UN-led aid coordination mechanisms in Gaza, while enhancing oversight to ensure aid reaches civilians in need.
Backed by U.S. and European support, the Israeli occupation military has continued its genocidal campaign in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, resulting in the martyrdom of 59,733 Palestinian civilians—most of them children and women—and the injury of 144,477 others, according to an incomplete toll. Thousands more remain trapped under the rubble or in streets inaccessible to emergency and rescue teams.
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