Rubio says does not see permanent division of Gaza

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that he did not envision a permanent division of Gaza, despite Israeli troops remaining in an area that has been prioritised for reconstruction.

Under a US-brokered ceasefire, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a “Yellow Line”, leaving them in control of around half of Gaza, and the United States has spoken of reconstruction aid in the area under Israeli control.

Rubio said that an international force, which US and regional mediators are trying to build, would move to enforce security across the Palestinian territory.

“I think ultimately the point of the stabilisation force is to move that line until it covers hopefully all of Gaza , meaning all of Gaza will be demilitarised,” Rubio told reporters on his plane between Israel and Qatar.

“Ultimately, the more of Gaza is demilitarised, the more of Gaza terrorism is removed from, the more of it is going to look like that green zone, and that line will move as a result of it,” he said.

“That’s the long-term plan. The Israelis have made it abundantly clear they have no interest in occupying Gaza.”