Hebrew media: Tense call between Netanyahu and Rubio over Gaza

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (YPA) – “Israeli Channel 12” has reported a ‘tense’ phone conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio because of disagreements over the formation of the administrative committee in the Gaza Strip.

Immediate Intervention and Bypassing Authority

According to reports, the call reportedly took place hours after Netanyahu tasked Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar with urgent diplomatic engagement, signaling Tel Aviv’s displeasure over the publication of the proposed Gaza administrative committee list. Despite Sa’ar’s official assignment to communicate with Rubio, Netanyahu chose to handle the matter personally with a direct call to the US Secretary of State

Challenges in Backtracking

Sources stated that Secretary Rubio clearly told Netanyahu that reversing or amending the committee’s decision had become “extremely difficult,” particularly after it was publicly announced by US President Donald Trump, giving the decision a formal and binding character that would be hard to override.

Regional Roles in Gaza

During the discussions, Washington clarified to the Israeli side that the US vision for managing the administrative committee in Gaza includes active participation from two regional states, Qatar and Turkey, reflecting new international arrangements for overseeing the next phase in the Strip.

Crisis Background

These tensions emerge as the US administration moves to implement a new administrative structure in Gaza, while “Israel” seeks to preserve influence over certain positions assigned to international and regional actors within the committee, fearing their repercussions on the “day after” arrangements.

@E.Y.M