Rabia Iclal Turan
23 October 2025•Update: 23 October 2025
WASHINGTON
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will arrive in Israel on Thursday as the Trump administration redoubles efforts to preserve a fragile Gaza ceasefire.
Rubio will help “to support the successful implementation of President (Donald) Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Conflict in Gaza,” said the State Department.
“During his visit, the Secretary will reaffirm America’s unwavering commitment to Israel's security and engage with partners to build on the historic momentum towards durable peace and integration in the Middle East,” it added.
The visit follows US Vice President JD Vance’s meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv and the arrival of Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, where they established a US-run civil-military coordination center to monitor the ceasefire, which came into force on Oct. 10.
The first phase of the 20-point Gaza ceasefire deal was reached between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas earlier this month, based on a plan presented by Trump. Phase one includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The plan also envisages the rebuilding of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing mechanism without Hamas.
Since October 2023, Israel’s genocidal war has killed over 68,200 people and injured more than 170,300, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
After Israel, Rubio will travel to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea from Oct. 26-30 to attend ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings and to “advance peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region,” said the State Department.
