President-elect Donald Trump is expected to appoint Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as his secretary of state, Reuters reports.

Rubio – a close Trump ally – serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is the leading Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee. The Secretary of State is the chief diplomat of the U.S. government and responsible for managing international relations, implementing foreign policy, and overseeing the Department of State.

Whoever steps into the role after Antony Blinken will have a full slate on his hands, including managing relations with China and Russia, and dealing with conflict and tensions in the Middle East.

Rubio has been outspoken about the Israeli-Hamas conflict and his support for Israel, following the October 7, 2023, attack, when Hamas launched a full-scale assault on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 251 hostage in the Palestinian territories . enclave of Gaza, from which Hamas mainly operates.

Israel retaliated and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to eradicate Hamas. Since then, more than 42,792 people have been killed in Gaza, including 16,765 children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Newsweek looks at what the man likely to lead the way in stabilizing the region has said about the Israeli-Hamas conflict.

“Complete eradication of Hamas in Gaza”

In October 2023, Rubio said on X, formerly Twitter, that Israel “has no choice but to seek the complete eradication of Hamas in Gaza.”

He said that “this tragically necessary effort will come at a horrific price” and added that “the price for not permanently eliminating this group of sadistic savages is even more horrific.”

Threat of ‘full war’ between Hezbollah and Israel

Rubio warned that there is a threat of a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah.

In May, the senator warned: “The need for Israel at some point to address this problem, even though there is a real threat of a full-scale war with Hezbollah, which is much more challenging and destructive militarily.”

“I think we should also expect and understand what Israel needs to do,” he continued.

He said he doesn’t think either Israel or Hezbollah want a war, but that “unfortunately they could still get one because of the position they are in,” according to a report at the time from Jewish Insider.

Give Israel “the military materials they need”

In October 2023, Rubio wrote on Mediterranean Sea. Israel has no choice. but eliminating Hamas.”

“Israel has no choice but to eliminate Hamas. And America’s role is to supply Israel with the military equipment they need to get this job done,” Rubio said, advocating continued American support for Israel.

Newsweek has contacted the Israeli Prime Minister’s office for comment via an online form.

‘Islamic Republic’ is a source of violence in the Middle East

Rubio has attributed the source of “violence, conflict, suffering and instability in the Middle East” to a criminal regime of the “Islamic Republic,” which Rubio said “has oppressed the people of Iran for nearly 25 years.”

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a theocratic state where political power is guided by Islamic principles and overseen by religious leaders, with a Supreme Leader as the highest authority, balancing both religious and republican elements in governance.

Newsweek has contacted the Iranian government via email for comment.

He is against a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas

Rubio has consistently opposed a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. In October 2023, he stated: “A ‘ceasefire’ at this time would prolong the war. Hamas would use it to steal humanitarian aid, move their fighters to better fighting positions, move hostages to new shelters and increase their rocket launchers for attacks within Israel.”

In a post in April, Rubio said: “The next time you hear the ‘ceasefire’ crowd described as ‘peace activists,’ remember how many of them cheered the launch of hundreds of drones and missiles into Israel. They don’t want a ceasefire. , they want Israel to be destroyed.”

Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs via email for comment.

Newsweek contacted Rubio’s office via email outside normal business hours for comment.

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