US admits peace impossible while Hamas threatens Israel, exposing dangers of half-measures and unreliable foreign guarantees.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made clear Friday that any post-war arrangement in Gaza must begin and end with one principle: Hamas must never again be able to threaten Israel. While declining to discuss technical details of negotiations, Rubio’s message was unmistakable—partial disarmament is not peace; it is merely a pause before the next war.
Responding to reports that Hamas may be willing to surrender heavy weapons while retaining lighter arms, Rubio refused to legitimize the idea. He warned that if Hamas retains any meaningful military capability, no investor, donor, or regional actor will believe Gaza is stable.
“If Hamas is ever in a position to threaten or attack Israel,” Rubio said, “you’re not going to have peace.” That statement cuts through months of diplomatic ambiguity. Gaza cannot be rebuilt while a genocidal terror organization remains armed—no matter how lightly.
Rubio stressed that disarmament must meet Israel’s security requirements and be enforced by credible pressure from international partners. Anything less risks repeating the same catastrophic cycle Israel endured after past ceasefires—where terror groups rearmed under international blind spots.
On the proposed International Stabilization Force, Rubio acknowledged growing uncertainty. Before asking nations to commit troops—including Pakistan—Washington must define the mandate, funding, and rules of engagement. Without clarity, foreign forces risk becoming passive observers rather than enforcers of demilitarization.
Turning north, Rubio addressed talks involving Lebanon and Israel, expressing hope for progress but recognizing Israel’s right to act against Hezbollah if threatened. He underscored a truth Israel has long understood: peace is impossible without sovereign states disarming terror militias within their borders.
Rubio’s remarks implicitly affirm Israel’s position—security first, illusions later. Gaza’s future cannot be built on diplomatic shortcuts, armed terrorists, or international forces unwilling to confront them. History has already proven the cost of that mistake.
