KIRYAT GAT, Israel: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that several countries are prepared to establish formal diplomatic ties with Israel, though they are awaiting the culmination of a larger regional accord.

During his visit to a multinational center in Israel led by the United States and focused on facilitating a ceasefire in Gaza, Rubio discussed the potential expansion of the Abraham Accords.

These accords, initiated in 2020, saw multiple Arab states normalize their relationships with Israel.

Rubio highlighted that there are numerous countries eager to join this diplomatic framework but emphasized the desire for a comprehensive approach rather than piecemeal recognitions.

He expressed optimism about these nations becoming part of the Abraham Accords in the near future, contingent on achieving lasting peace through ceasefire agreements.

While he refrained from specifying individual countries, Rubio suggested that some are more significant in terms of their potential impact.

Notably, Saudi Arabia has previously engaged in discussions with the US regarding normalization with Israel, a move that would hold monumental importance given its custodianship of Islam's holiest sites.

However, these talks stalled following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023.

Both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have hailed the Abraham Accords as a major diplomatic achievement, securing normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco.

This development is seen as a significant step towards broader Middle Eastern peace and cooperation.