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The US secretary of state heads to Saudi Arabia amid diplomatic efforts to extend the Hamas-Israel ceasefire.

Published On 17 Feb 2025

  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia a day after meeting Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who hailed President Donald Trump’s plan to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.
  • Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, says talks on phase two of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire will continue this week, as Israeli negotiators head to Cairo. Rubio says Hamas “must be eradicated”, casting doubt on the deal.