Rubio’s Middle East visit: Diplomatic test amid Trump’s Gaza plan uproar

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is preparing for his first official visit to the Middle East in mid-February, according to Israeli officials and sources familiar with the plans.

Rubio’s trip comes at a tense moment following the backlash over President Donald Trump’s controversial "Gaza takeover" proposal, Caliber.Az reports referring to the latest data by Axios.

While Israeli leaders have welcomed the plan and begun preparations for its potential implementation, key regional players — including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia — have strongly opposed it.

Earlier this week, five Arab foreign ministers, along with a senior Palestinian official, sent a letter to Rubio, voicing deep concerns about Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. They insisted that Palestinians must have a role in the region’s reconstruction efforts, according to a copy of the letter obtained by Axios.

Planned stops and uncertain meetings

Rubio is expected to attend the Munich Security Conference, which begins on February 14, before heading to the Middle East. His planned itinerary reportedly includes Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and possibly additional stops. However, it remains unclear whether he will visit the West Bank or meet with Palestinian Authority leaders.

A Palestinian source told Axios that the State Department has indicated Rubio could visit the Palestinian Authority if his travel schedule includes Israel. The department has not officially commented on the matter.

Diplomatic talks in Washington

Meanwhile, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi is set to visit Washington on February 7 for discussions with Rubio and other senior Trump administration officials, according to sources. These talks will take place ahead of King Abdullah’s upcoming meeting with Trump at the White House on February 11.

Safadi is expected to reiterate Jordan’s opposition to Trump's plan to relocate Palestinians to other countries in the region. Additionally, sources indicate that Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister is also scheduled to visit Washington in the coming days, while Egypt’s foreign minister is set to arrive on Monday for further diplomatic discussions.

As Rubio prepares for his visit, the geopolitical landscape remains highly volatile, with Arab leaders pushing back against Trump’s vision for Gaza and the broader region.

By Tamilla Hasanova