Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark warning, stating that the “gates of hell will be opened” if Hamas does not release all Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Speaking alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel and the United States are operating in “full cooperation” on the ongoing crisis.

Netanyahu’s remarks came after what he described as a “very productive” discussion with Rubio on US President Donald Trump’s vision for Gaza’s future. The proposal, which includes relocating Gaza’s Palestinian population and transforming the region into a luxury destination, has already drawn widespread rejection across the Middle East.

While declining to disclose specifics, Netanyahu underscored that Israel and the US share a “common strategy” to deal with Hamas and regional threats. “We can’t always share the details of this strategy with the public, including when the gates of hell will be opened, as they surely will if all our hostages are not released until the last one of them,” he warned.

The meeting also touched on Iran, with Netanyahu reaffirming that Israel and the US are working “shoulder to shoulder” to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Rubio echoed the sentiment, asserting that Iran’s aggression “must be rolled back.”

Rubio also reinforced Trump’s stance that Hamas must be eliminated, stating, “That must happen. It’s not optional.” He defended the US vision for Gaza’s future as “bold and necessary,” while dismissing concerns about regional pushback.

Rubio’s visit to Israel, his first trip to the Middle East since taking office, comes at a time when Washington’s proposal for Gaza is facing intense opposition from regional governments.