Rubio appears to back Israel’s war approach, insists peace not possible while Hamas exists

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio continues to echo Israel’s approach to the war in Gaza, apparently providing the backing for Jerusalem to continue the war until Hamas has been defeated — something it has yet to accomplish after nearly two years.

“The goal is not to end the war. The goal is to have peace,” Rubio tells NBC’s ‘The Today Show.’

“You can’t have peace as long as Hamas exists. This is a group dedicated to the destruction of the Jewish state. They’ve said it, and repeatedly, and that’s what they’ve demonstrated throughout their existence.”

Rubio reiterates his call for the immediate release of all remaining hostages.

“If there is no more Hamas, then I think the people of Gaza have a chance.. Many countries around the world, including the United States, will [help] rebuild [Gaza] into a place where people can live again,” he says.

“We have a very narrow window of time now to achieve that before this escalates further,” Rubio adds.

Asked about this week’s recognitions of Palestine by a slew of Western states, Rubio again downplays the move, arguing that those who took the step don’t “play much of a role in bringing about the end of this conflict in Gaza.”

He again claims that the recognitions were motivated by domestic politics and serve as a reward to Hamas.

“Any future resolution of this matter with Israel is going to have to be negotiated. It isn’t going to be up to France or the UK or any other country,” Rubio says.