Rubio speaks to Netanyahu, thanks him for cooperating with administration on Gaza talks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call earlier today with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to thank the premier for his cooperation with the Trump administration’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff to free the remaining hostages and extend the ceasefire in Gaza, the State Department says.

Netanyahu over the weekend announced that Israel had accepted a “Witkoff plan” for a Ramadan-Passover ceasefire extension that would see the remaining hostages released in two batches at the beginning and end of the holiday period. An Arab diplomat told The Times of Israel that the proposal was actually spearheaded by Israel, though.

Nonetheless, the White House on Sunday said it backed Israel’s stance regarding the ceasefire just hours after Netanyahu announced that Israel would cease allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza moving forward.

The State Department readout on Netanyahu’s call with Rubio appears to be an extension of the Trump administration’s decision to fully back Israel’s approach in the ceasefire negotiations.

Rubio on the call with Netanyahu “underscore[d] the United States’ steadfast support for Israel is a top priority for President Trump, as shown by the recent announcement to expedite the delivery of nearly $4 billion in military assistance to Israel,” the US readout says.

Hamas has come out against the US-Israeli proposal, asserting that it will only release hostages through the phased framework signed by both sides in January.

Phase one ended on Saturday, but Netanyahu is refusing to even hold talks regarding phase two because it envisions a permanent end to the war in exchange for the remaining hostages — a tradeoff that theoretically leaves Hamas in power.

“The secretary also conveyed that he anticipates close coordination in addressing the threats posed by Iran and pursuing opportunities for a stable region,” it adds.