Rubio Plans Middle East Visit Amid Gaza Concerns

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to make his first visit to the Middle East from February 13-18, following the Munich Security Conference. His itinerary includes stops in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and potentially other nations. The visit comes amid significant controversy regarding President Trump's proposed relocation of Gaza's population, which has drawn criticism from several Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt and Jordan. Rubio has received a joint letter from Arab foreign ministers expressing their concerns and demanding Palestinian involvement in any reconstruction efforts. The trip aims to strengthen U.S. ties in the region, despite the backdrop of ongoing foreign policy turmoil linked to the Trump administration's initiatives. Discussions about a possible meeting with Palestinian Authority leaders are also anticipated.