US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that an Israeli plan to occupy 70% of Gaza is not included in the Trump administration's proposal to end the war. He faced sharp questioning from Democratic lawmakers regarding the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.
When pressed by Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's directive for the military to 'take over' 70% of Gaza's territory, Rubio responded, 'We have a plan. It doesn't call for that.' He further reiterated, 'He made that statement, but that's not part of this plan.'
Congressional Hearing Highlights
Rubio's remarks came during his testimony before the House Appropriations Committee, where he defended the State Department's budget request. Lawmakers questioned him on various topics, including Iran, Gaza, Venezuela, and Cuba.
DeLauro accused the Trump administration of having 'forgotten about the crisis in Gaza' and failing to implement the 20-point plan. Rubio rejected this characterization, stating, 'No, no one's forgotten about it.' He added, 'There's not active combat operations happening of the kind that we saw a few months ago, but it's still a challenge that we're going to work through.'
International Stabilization Force
Regarding progress on President Trump's 20-point plan, Rubio noted that the administration is seeking an international stabilization force for Gaza, contingent on Hamas agreeing to demilitarize. 'No one's going to invest money in Gaza until Hamas is demilitarized, because they know there's going to be another war,' he said, adding that regional partners are pressing Hamas to comply.
Despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, the Israeli army has killed 932 Palestinians and injured 2,859 in almost daily attacks, according to the Gaza Media Office. The truce halted Tel Aviv's two-year genocidal war on Gaza since October 2023, which killed nearly 73,000 Palestinians and injured over 173,000, mostly women and children.
Phases of the Trump Plan
Phase one of the 20-point plan included a halt to hostilities, partial Israeli withdrawal, hostage-prisoner exchanges, and the entry of full humanitarian aid into Gaza. Phase two requires the deployment of an International Stabilization Force, disarmament of Hamas, full Israeli withdrawal, and the formation of a 'technocratic' Palestinian committee to temporarily rule Gaza.
On Thursday, Netanyahu said Israel intends to expand military control in Gaza to 70%, after acknowledging current control of around 60%. Israeli forces had previously announced control of 53% after withdrawing to the 'Yellow Line' under the first phase.
West Bank Annexation Concerns
DeLauro also challenged Rubio on Israeli actions in the West Bank, noting the worsening humanitarian situation and what she called 'a de facto annexation' of the territory. She asked whether this trajectory could lead to a two-state solution.
Rubio said Trump has consistently opposed unilateral changes to the West Bank's status. 'The president has stated clearly and repeatedly, he is not in favor of these changes, or just changes in the status in the West Bank — it potentially complicates our ability to work out the deal in Gaza,' Rubio said. 'We've shared that with our Israeli counterparts as well.'
Violence has surged across the occupied West Bank since October 2023, with Palestinian officials reporting 1,168 deaths, 12,666 injuries, nearly 23,000 arrests, and the displacement of around 33,000 people. Palestinian officials have accused Israeli authorities and settlers of expanding settlement activity, demolishing homes and infrastructure, and forcibly displacing communities.
