US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Condemns Hamas Following Hostage Release

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned Hamas after the release of four Israeli hostages, emphasizing the group's cruelty and calling them "evil, terrible people" during an interview with Fox News on Friday. Rubio's comments came shortly after Israel received the bodies of the slain hostages, which included Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz.

In the interview, Rubio addressed the violence and kidnappings perpetrated by Hamas, stating, "Just thinking about the fact they went in, grabbed this family, this young woman with her two infant children, and they died in their captivity. Who does that?" He further stressed that Hamas is not a government or an ideological movement but a terrorist organization that needs to be eradicated for the safety of Israel and the wider world.

Rubio pointed out that the idea of allowing Hamas to maintain arms, militarize, and control territory was unfathomable. He compared the situation to a hypothetical scenario where a similar group operated near the US border, saying, "We would wipe them out." The Secretary of State reiterated that Hamas cannot be allowed to reconstitute, and as long as the group controls Gaza, there will never be peace in the region.

Acknowledging the pain of the families of the hostages, Rubio expressed sympathy and highlighted the importance of returning remains for proper burial. He also discussed Hamas' weakened state but warned that the terror group still posed a significant threat.

Rubio concluded by stressing that it is in everyone's best interest, including Palestinians, to rid Gaza of Hamas, as the group not only terrorizes Israel but also the Palestinian people.