Secretary Marco Rubio Reveals He Is 'Troubled By The Humanitarian Situation' In Gaza

Sec. Marco Rubio spoke with reporters on Thursday in Turkey, where he was asked about Hamas and plight of people in Gaza.

Transcript

00:00Just on that same theme about peace and Gaza, and I know the President has been a bit saved today and yesterday,

00:06on the ground, I mean, there are more than 100 Palestinians killed today, 80 yesterday, two attacks on hospitals.

00:13We've had Tom Fletcher, the UN humanitarian chief, urging the Security Council to prevent, in his words, genocide.

00:20Meanwhile, the families of many hostages are accusing the Netanyahu government of trying to prolong the war for political reasons.

00:27What is your engagement with the Israeli government? Are you 100% behind the nature of the military action?

00:36And what is your own position, basically, on, as you do with Dean Alexander, talking directly to Hamas to get the rest of us?

00:44Well, let me just say, I spoke to the Prime Minister today of Israel. I know the President has been in contact with them earlier this week.

00:50The President talked about this in a speech the other day, that the people of Gaza deserve a better future than what they've had under Hamas.

00:57We think that the elimination of Hamas is what achieves peace. We're troubled by the humanitarian situation there.

01:03Both the Israelis, with American backing and support, have offered a plan to deliver aid that doesn't get diverted or stolen by Hamas.

01:12I've heard criticisms of that plan. We're open to an alternative if someone has a better one.

01:16But we are for all the aid we can get without Hamas being able to steal it from people.

01:22But I think all of us would love to see an enduring end to this conflict, which, by the way, would end immediately if Hamas were to surrender.

01:29They're a terrorist group. They're a group that kidnapped, raped, murdered innocent people that had nothing to do with the war.

01:35And as long as they exist and they're around, you're not going to have peace.

01:40This is not a peaceful group. This is a group that deliberately, on October 7th, committed horrifying crimes, which has triggered this conflict.

01:47That said, we're not immune or in any way insensitive to the suffering of the people of Gaza.

01:52And I know that there's opportunities here to provide aid for them.

01:55There's a plan out there that's been offered that's been criticized by some.

01:58But it allows people to get aid without Hamas stealing it.

02:02And we'll continue to work towards that in ways that we think are constructive and productive.

02:06And what about the negotiations? Are you in direct contact with Hamas?

02:09And would you continue to do that if it's a way to get the rest of the organization?

02:14Well, I think anybody that tells you there are obviously messages passed between intermediaries in the case of Hamas.

02:20There's obviously an external Hamas group and there's an internal Hamas group as well.

02:24This is a terrorist organization.

02:25This is a murderous group that still continues to hold innocent hostages and the bodies and remains of dead hostages as well.

02:33They should all be released immediately.

02:34That's been our position from the very beginning.

02:36They should never have been taken to begin with.

02:38So, again, you know, we continue to, that continues to be our position.

02:42And there's a role we can play in bringing about the release of these hostages and the return of these remains to their families.

02:48And we have an opportunity to play a role. We will.

02:51I won't comment any further on the mechanics of it because I don't want to endanger them.

02:54But suffice it to say that we know there are others involved.

02:56The Qataris have been involved. The Egyptians have been involved.

02:59The Turks have been involved. Numerous countries have been involved in passing messages and in getting results.

03:04And we're very happy to see Eden Alexander home with his family.

03:08It was very uplifting.

03:09But we recognize that there are still many others left behind.

03:11We want to see them all released.