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 could 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 will likely be underway in Egypt to go for just a few days. What precisely is the deadline for Hamas and the fear 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 must be about, and a few of that dialog is already taking place now, it is not 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 understand, 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 must 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 be certain 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 vital, 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 quick section is the one which Hamas claims to have agreed to already, and that’s they’re ready to launch the hostages. Let’s talk about, 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 in regards to the date. I might be nice if it was earlier than October 7. We want it might occur yesterday. However there are realities right here, after which there are issues individuals do to impede progress. Actuality is, it is a conflict 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 happening, however on the identical time that may’t, you know- in order that has to finish, however that has to cease, however you additionally must work by the opposite logistics. Who’s going to go decide them up? We noticed how this occurred previously. You understand, the Crimson 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 converse. 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 rapidly. And I might additionally say that whereas we wish all of the hostages to be launched, if there are 5 which can 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 following group ought to come out, however in the end they need to all come out. And I feel what you are listening to from individuals is, sure, there must be some logistics that must be labored by. However what you’ll be able to’t have, and what we won’t see, and what we hope we won’t see, is that we get into these talks, and these talks are then delayed, and it appears like they’re unnecessarily delaying it. That will be a really unhealthy signal. Let’s hope that is not what occurs. And it is going to 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 lots of strain on Hamas to verify this occurs as rapidly as potential.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However you identified that releases cannot occur when bombardments are underway. Our CBS staff 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 individuals killed once they tried to test in on their properties in areas the place there are additionally army websites. Is that acceptable?
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, I feel, in the end, 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’ll be able to’t launch hostages in the course 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 tug again to create the situations 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 conflict happening in the course of it, and Hamas has to agree to show them over. We now have to have the correct individuals go in and get them. That is what we’ll give attention to 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 this time, on Monday, on Tuesday, to get this performed 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, massive image, does america assess that Israel has so lowered the risk posed by Hamas that it will possibly finish fight and transition to the type of lower-tempo counter-terrorism marketing campaign that, say, america carries out towards terrorist threats to this nation?
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, look, I imply, the perfect final result 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 conflict?
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, initially, making a Gaza, or organising a Gaza that’s ruled by Palestinian technocrats that aren’t terrorists and should not sponsoring terrorism, that is not going to occur in 72 hours. That is going to take a while to construct up, and it is going to require lots of work and lots of worldwide assist, and that is the tip purpose right here of this complete endeavor, after you get the hostages out. By the best way, if you cannot get the hostages out, you haven’t any hope of getting that performed. In order that’s why I say, you recognize that these two steps must occur. However it is going to take lots of exhausting work and time. You understand, 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 lots 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 essential, after which implementing it isn’t going to be straightforward. It’ll take a while right here, however I feel, definitely, 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 might remind all people, if, in truth, 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 basic fact right here that everybody wants to just 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 by way of 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 lots of assist on this planet. Now I will get all that assist again.” At what level did President Trump resolve that Netanyahu took this struggle 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 commentary, principally, is that due to the size of this conflict 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. We now 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. We now have seen, even in our personal home politics, a few of the assaults on Israel. We do not overlook what occurred on October 7. That is the opposite factor the President repeatedly factors to is, bear in mind October 7. However the impli- whether or not we agree with it or not, we’ve got seen the influence that this has had on Israel’s international 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 not ignore the influence that this has had on Israel’s international standing. That stated, if we by no means need to see this occur once more, which means a conflict like this, you’ll be able to 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, if you happen to really need peace and stability and a greater future for the Palestinian individuals, then there must be a Gaza that’s not ruled or managed in any approach, form or kind by Hamas, or something that appears like Hamas.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Does america assist a Palestinian state? As a result of level 19 in your White Home plan talks about “a reputable pathway to Palestinian self dedication and statehood.”
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, once more, we have at all times stated, I imply, this has been a constant place all through, that the one approach you are ever going to have something that appears like statehood is in a negotiated take care of 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 towards recognition of 1. That is why I am asking you to make clear.
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, we have 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 is not even potential. That is not even a practical 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 believed.
SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, however that is speaking a few pathway long run and sooner or later.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SEC. RUBIO: However one in all the- earlier than you’ll be able to even get there, okay, that is, you recognize, earlier than you’ll be able to even get there, you need to have somebody to show that land- Israel’s made clear they’ve no real interest in governing Gaza. They’ve no real interest in occupying Gaza long run and being the federal government of Gaza. I feel Israel, I am unable to converse for Israel, however I feel Israel would inform you they might love to show over Gaza to a Palestinian group that is not terrorists. They might 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 is going to take a while to get to that time. So that is the pathway this discusses. And I feel if you happen to look ahead into the longer term the place there’s out of the blue a Palestinian government-like group, that may govern territory, then there’s lots of prospects. However that must be negotiated and agreed to by Israel. In the long run, it is quite simple. There might be peace in Gaza, there might be Palestinian governance in Gaza, whether or not you name it statehood or one thing else, so long as it isn’t terrorists which can 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 this time. So we will get off that street and onto a distinct street. There are lots of prospects 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 essential reconstruction of Gaza.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That interview was taped earlier at this time, 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.
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