Axios

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is planning to visit the Middle East in mid-February, two Israeli officials and two sources with knowledge told Axios.

Why it matters: It would be Rubio's first trip to the region since he assumed office and comes amid the uproar President Trump's "Gaza takeover" plan created in the Middle East.

During his meetings in Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a plan for ending the war in Gaza in return for Hamas giving up power and its leaders leaving Gaza, according to two U.S. sources and one Israeli source.

Why it matters: Netanyahu has said he doesn't see a path to a post-war plan for Gaza as long as Hamas is in control. If Hamas relinquishes power and its leaders go into exile, it could open the door for a day-after plan, possibly including President Trump's "Gaza takeover."

The Bank of England cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point on Thursday as the U.K. economic outlook darkens, alongside the looming threat of President Trump's trade policy.

Why it matters: The central bank now expects the U.K. to grow slightly, alongside somewhat higher inflation risks — a toxic mix that could weigh on a global economy that might already take a hit from Trump tariffs.

President Donald Trump claimed on Thursday that Israel will transfer Gaza to U.S. control at the end of the fighting and after the residents of the enclave have already been displaced, so there will be no need to use American troops.

Why it matters: Trump Truth Social post seemed to be aimed at pushing back on the criticism — including from some in his America First camp — that the plan he presented on Tuesday to displace two million Palestinians from Gaza and take over the enclave would embroil the U.S. in another costly conflict in the Middle East.

In a rebuke of the Trump administration, Panama has refuted a claim by the U.S. State Department that American vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without being charged fees.

Why it matters: The dispute comes shortly after the State Department made the announcement Wednesday evening. President Trump has pushed to regain control of the canal — one of the world's most significant pieces of infrastructure.

"This can't go on like this," President Trump said as he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sat in the Oval Office on Tuesday, discussing Gaza's rebuild from the rubble.

• "Here's what I want to do...," Trump said, according to two officials briefed on the meeting, which included Cabinet members and Trump senior advisers.
• Trump then laid out a plan far more ambitious than what he and his aides had discussed earlier in the day: "The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip ... we will develop it."

Driving the news: Trump's earthquake of an announcement — an "audible," staffers called it — continued to ripple around the world Wednesday, drawing some praise but a lot of backlash, namely about its legality and logistics.

Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) said Wednesday he plans to introduce articles of impeachment against President Trump after just two weeks of the new president's second term.

Why it matters: The effort is almost certain to fail, but it is the latest example of progressive Democrats trying to revive the anti-Trump resistance that helped sweep them into power during the last Trump administration.

The Trump administration's widely criticized overhaul of the U.S. government's lead humanitarian aid agency has drawn some international praise — from Russia and Iran.

Why it matters: Dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and freezing foreign aid will endanger millions of lives around the world and diminish U.S. influence.

The U. S. Postal Service said Wednesday that it will continue to accept international mail and packages from China and Hong Kong, reversing a Tuesday announcement that it would halt the flow of inbound parcels from the areas.

The latest: The USPS in a statement Wednesday pointed to "new China tariffs," and said that it was working with Customs and Border Protection to implement an "efficient collection mechanism" for the taxes on imported goods.

On the 15th day, he proclaimed Gaza ours.

Why it matters: There are two ways to view President Trump's epic, historic, shockingly unexpected declaration Tuesday evening that the U.S. should seize, control, develop and hold "a long-term ownership position" in war-destroyed Gaza.

A trade war with China could shock fragile global health care supply chains, driving up the cost of medical supplies, intensifying shortages of common drugs and limiting U.S. medical device makers' ability to import critical parts.

Why it matters: While President Trump's tariffs are billed as a boon to America's public health for the way they'll cut off sources of fentanyl, experts say they risk upending a health network that buckled during the pandemic and relies on components sourced from around the world, with multiple intermediaries.

President Trump's stunning declaration that the U.S. could "take over" Gaza surprised many of his own advisers, thrilled right-wing Israelis, and deeply alarmed the governments in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, sources in Washington and around the region tell Axios.

Friction point: Trump's plan to displace two million Palestinians came at a very sensitive point of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal. It could even embolden both Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume the war.

Most U.S. Agency for International Development direct hires will be "placed on administrative leave globally" from 11:59pm this Friday ET, per a statement posted to USAID's site.

Why it matters: The directive pauses most programs at the agency that leads foreign aid programs and means the vast majority of overseas workers will return home within days, per the announcement and an email sent to staff that was seen by Axios.

President Trump declared during a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that "the U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip" and "own it."

Why it matters: 2 million Palestinians live in Gaza, which was largely destroyed by Israel in its war with Hamas militants. Trump has contended those Palestinians should be moved out and the U.S. should take control in order to rebuild — a startling proposal with no legal backing, but which Trump presented as a done deal.