Marco Rubio Calls for Hamas to Be ‘Eradicated,’ Expects Civilian Casualties

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is calling for the complete "eradication" of Hamas after attacks on Israel over the weekend that caused hundreds of deaths, including at least 11 Americans.

During an appearance on CNN, anchor Jake Tapper pressed Rubio on whether Israel can "destroy" Hamas without causing "massive casualties" among the 2 million civilian population on the Gaza Strip.

The Florida senator, who called for Hamas to be "eradicated" earlier in the day on X, said Israel cannot be expected to coexist with Hamas after the brutality over the weekend, which included civilians being attacked and kidnapped.

"I don't think Israel can be expected to coexist for find some diplomatic offramp with these savages," he said. "These are people, as you've been reporting, that deliberately targeted teenage girls, women, and children, and elderly, not just for rape and murder — and then dumping these bodies in the streets of Gaza where crowds can defile their lifeless bodies."

Rubio said the path forward would be "painful," but blamed potential civilian casualties on Hamas.

"This is going to be incredibly painful. This is going to be incredibly difficult and it's going to be horrifying, the price to pay, but even more horrifying is allowing a group like this to continue to be a viable group operating from a space that they control," he said. "I wish — in an ideal world, people would tell you that there is but I don't see any other option. It's a terrible option, but it remains the only option. And I think the blame will squarely be on Hamas for using people, human beings ... as shields."

Hamas has threatened to execute hostages, some of whom may be American, if airstrikes by Israel on Gaza in response to their attacks continue.