The next is the transcript of the interview with Secretary of State Marco Rubio that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Oct. 5, 2025.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We flip now to Secretary of State and Nationwide Safety Adviser, Marco Rubio. Good morning to you, Mr. Secretary.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO: Good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: It might be extraordinary to finish what has been one in all Israel’s longest and bloodiest wars. The prime minister stated he is solely permitting these talks that shall be underway in Egypt to go for a couple of days. What precisely is the deadline for Hamas and the phobia teams who’re holding hostages? When do they should launch them?
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, yeah, so a pair factors. Hamas has- clearly, look, we’re coping with Hamas. Okay. So let’s take that with- for what it’s. However they’ve stated that they agree with the President’s framework for the discharge of the hostages. So what these talks needs to be about, and a few of that dialog is already occurring now, it isn’t ready till Monday in Cairo, is the logistics behind the discharge of those hostages. How do you cease the combating? Who’s going to go in and get them? You realize, when are they going to be launched? The place are they picked up? What are the processes for this? That is what ought to be- that is what this dialog needs to be about at this level, as a result of they’ve agreed to the framework of it. Then there’s second- past that’s what occurs after that. And that’s, how will we make sure that we will create and assist construct a Gaza freed from terrorism, freed from Hamas, freed from something like Hamas and that is going to take work and a while, not simply to agree on however to implement. However that is necessary, as a result of that is what is going on to carry a everlasting finish to those hostilities in the long run. And so these are the 2 phases right here. However proper now, essentially the most emergent and fast part is the one which Hamas claims to have agreed to already, and that’s they’re ready to launch the hostages. Let’s focus on, by the mediators, the logistics and the mechanics behind how that occurs. And that has to occur in a short time. That can’t drag on.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So my sources have indicated to me that as a result of the higher echelon of Hamas fighters has been so decimated, communication is tough. The opposite terror teams who additionally maintain hostages in Gaza aren’t essentially simply managed by them. How do you handle round this actuality and is full launch by October 7 the demand?
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, I do not know concerning the date. I would be nice if it was earlier than October 7. We want it will occur yesterday. However there are realities right here, after which there are issues folks do to impede progress. Actuality is, it is a battle zone. I imply, it is a place that suffered an incredible quantity of destruction that combating must cease. You may’t launch hostages whereas there’s nonetheless bombardments occurring, however on the similar time that may’t, you know- in order that has to finish, however that has to cease, however you additionally should work by the opposite logistics. Who’s going to go decide them up? We noticed how this occurred previously. You realize, the Purple Cross would go in, they might be handed over by this course of, et cetera. And so all of that is what must be labored on, and is being labored on as we communicate. So I am not telling you there aren’t some logistical hurdles right here, however I’m saying that the expectation is that this occurs shortly. And I’d additionally say that whereas we wish all of the hostages to be launched, if there are 5 which might be able to go proper now, they need to be launched proper now. If one other 10 are able to go in 12 hours after that, the subsequent group ought to come out, however finally they need to all come out. And I feel what you are listening to from folks is, sure, there must be some logistics that should be labored by. However what you may’t have, and what we won’t see, and what we hope we is not going to see, is that we get into these talks, and these talks are then delayed, and it seems to be like they’re unnecessarily delaying it. That will be a really dangerous signal. Let’s hope that is not what occurs. And it may be essential for our companions within the area who signed on to this deal, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, and many others, for them to be placing a variety of strain on Hamas to ensure this occurs as shortly as potential.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However you identified that releases cannot occur when bombardments are underway. Our CBS group in Gaza tells us that there are Israeli bombardments underway. There have been strikes Saturday. Tens killed, extra injured, bombings persevering with. One incident included 10 folks killed once they tried to verify in on their houses in areas the place there are additionally army websites. Is that acceptable?
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, I feel, finally, what you are going to see right here is that when an settlement is reached on these logistics behind when the discharge goes to occur, then I feel you may see these bombardments cease, and I feel a few of that exercise has already decreased considerably. So, there is a framework right here, and the framework is easy. When you agree on the logistics of how that is going to occur, I feel the Israelis and everybody acknowledge you may’t launch hostages in the midst of strikes, so the strikes should cease. And, as you noticed, the president state that very clearly on Friday, the place he requested the Israelis to start to drag again to create the circumstances for these releases–
MARGARET BRENNAN: So this isn’t a violation of that?
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, we’re making an attempt to get the hostages out. That is the underside line. We need to get the hostages out as quickly as potential. For that to occur, there cannot be a battle occurring in the midst of it, and Hamas has to agree to show them over. Now we have to have the fitting folks go in and get them. That is what we’ll deal with proper now, and that is what we’re going to- that is what we have been centered on, and that is what the talks are going to be about at the moment, on Monday, on Tuesday, to get this executed as quickly as potential.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I hear you, there are two phases right here. The Hamas releasing the hostages is the one you are most centered on. However, huge image, does the USA assess that Israel has so decreased the menace posed by Hamas that it could finish fight and transition to the sort of lower-tempo counter-terrorism marketing campaign that, say, the USA carries out in opposition to terrorist threats to this nation?
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, look, I imply, the best consequence right here is you do not have to hold out any counter-terror missions as a result of there are not any terrorists in Gaza–
MARGARET BRENNAN: However can they take the win? Can Netanyahu say he received this battle?
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, to begin with, making a Gaza, or organising a Gaza that’s ruled by Palestinian technocrats that aren’t terrorists and will not be sponsoring terrorism, that is not going to occur in 72 hours. That is going to take a while to construct up, and it may require a variety of work and a variety of worldwide assist, and that is the top purpose right here of this complete endeavor, after you get the hostages out. By the way in which, if you cannot get the hostages out, you haven’t any hope of getting that executed. In order that’s why I say, you already know that these two steps must occur. However it may take a variety of laborious work and time. You realize, you are making an attempt to construct one thing that does not exist proper now, which is a kind of civilian, Palestinian management that is not tied to terrorism. That does not exist proper now. It’ll take a variety of assist from worldwide companions. That is why having the nations within the area and the Europeans and all others concerned on this in each cash and sources, that is why constructing that coalition is so crucial, after which implementing it’s not going to be straightforward. It’ll take a while right here, however I feel, actually, for the primary time in a very long time, you see the framework and the outlines of one thing that might work.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However fight operations can finish?
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, that is the purpose right here. Nicely, you would not want fight operations if there weren’t terrorists there. However, by the identical token, I’d remind everyone, if, actually, on the finish of all this terrorism and a terrorist group stays energetic inside Gaza, you are not going to have peace. That is the elemental reality right here that everybody wants to simply accept. You are by no means going to have peace in Gaza so long as there are terrorists working from that territory, threatening the safety of Israel.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However when it comes to occupation and fight operations, that is totally different than a counterterrorism marketing campaign. However, let me ask you particularly what President Trump stated. He advised Barak Ravid of Axios that Prime Minister Netanyahu, quote, “took it very far and Israel misplaced a variety of assist on the planet. Now I’ll get all that assist again.” At what level did President Trump resolve that Netanyahu took this battle in Gaza, or his operations all through the Center East- When did he take it too far?
SEC. RUBIO: I feel the President’s- the president’s statement, mainly, is that due to the size of this battle and the way it’s gone- we have all seen the worldwide narrative. We have all seen it, whether or not we agree with it or not. Now we have seen nations just like the U.Ok., Australia, Canada and others come out and kind of sign assist, or announce assist for a Palestinian state. Now we have seen, even in our personal home politics, a few of the assaults on Israel. We do not neglect what occurred on October 7. That is the opposite factor the President repeatedly factors to is, keep in mind October 7. However the impli- whether or not we agree with it or not, we have now seen the affect that this has had on Israel’s world standing. And I feel that is the purpose the President is making right here, is that whether or not you imagine it was justified or not, proper or not, that we- you can’t ignore the affect that this has had on Israel’s world standing. That stated, if we by no means need to see this occur once more, that means a battle like this, you may by no means have one other October 7 or something prefer it ever occur once more. And that is the factor the President has reiterated and repeatedly made clear to our companions within the area, and that’s, in the event you actually need peace and stability and a greater future for the Palestinian folks, then there must be a Gaza that’s not ruled or managed in any manner, form or kind by Hamas, or something that appears like Hamas.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Does the USA assist a Palestinian state? As a result of level 19 in your White Home plan talks about “a reputable pathway to Palestinian self willpower and statehood.”
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, once more, we have all the time stated, I imply, this has been a constant place all through, that the one manner you are ever going to have something that appears like statehood is in a negotiated cope with the Israelis. We’re so removed from that proper now–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper, however Prime Minister Netanyahu opposes a Palestinian state and thanked President Trump for talking in opposition to recognition of 1. That is why I am asking you to make clear.
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, we’ve not acknowledged the Palestinian state–
[CROSSTALK]
MARGARET BRENNAN: I perceive.
SEC. RUBIO: –the United States has not. And proper now, there is no level in doing that–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Does the US need to see one?
[CROSSTALK ENDS]
SEC. RUBIO: –because it isn’t even potential. That is not even a sensible factor proper now. As a result of who, who would govern that Palestinian state, Hamas?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, it is level 19 in your plan–
SEC. RUBIO: –Who would govern it?
MARGARET BRENNAN: –I assumed.
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, however that is speaking a couple of pathway long run and sooner or later.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SEC. RUBIO: However one in all the- earlier than you may even get there, okay, that is, you already know, earlier than you may even get there, you must have somebody to show that land- Israel’s made clear they’ve little interest in governing Gaza. They’ve little interest in occupying Gaza long run and being the federal government of Gaza. I feel Israel, I can not communicate for Israel, however I feel Israel would let you know they might love to show over Gaza to a Palestinian group that is not terrorists. They’d love to do this. However that does not exist proper now. That must be constructed, and that is going to take time. You are not going to construct that in 72 hours. You are not going to construct that in 72 weeks. I imply, it may take a while to get to that time. So that is the pathway this discusses. And I feel in the event you look ahead into the long run the place there may be out of the blue a Palestinian government-like group, that may govern territory, then there’s a variety of potentialities. However that must be negotiated and agreed to by Israel. Ultimately, it is quite simple. There will be peace in Gaza, there will be Palestinian governance in Gaza, whether or not you name it statehood or one thing else, so long as it’s not terrorists which might be in control of that territory. That is what Israel agreed to once they turned over Gaza within the first place, after which Hamas took over Gaza and turned it right into a terrorist camp, and that is what’s led us to the purpose that we’re at at the moment. So we will get off that street and onto a special street. There are a variety of potentialities long run and sooner or later, however proper now–
MARGARET BRENNAN: So possibly?
SEC. RUBIO: –we are removed from that. Proper now, we have to get these hostages out, and we simply want technocrats that aren’t terrorists to have the ability to start the fundamental reconstruction of Gaza.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That interview was taped earlier at the moment, with the digital camera off, Secretary Rubio clarified that President Trump nonetheless opposes Israeli annexation of the West Financial institution although there is no such thing as a point out of the Occupied Territory within the 20 level White Home peace plan.
