The US Secretary of State has stated that a move by Israel's parliament towards annexation of the occupied West Bank would threaten Washington's plan to end the conflict in Gaza.
That's not something we can be supportive of right now, Marco Rubio said before leaving for Israel as part of US efforts to shore up a fragile ceasefire deal.
In an apparent attempt to embarrass Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, far-right politicians took the symbolic step of giving preliminary approval to a bill granting Israel authority to annex the West Bank.
The Palestinians claim the West Bank - occupied by Israel since 1967 - as part of a hoped-for independent state.
Last year, the International Court of Justice - the UN's top court - stated Israel's occupation was illegal.
Rubio cautioned that annexation would be counterproductive and threatening for the peace deal, reiterating US opposition to such moves. His visit to Israel follows trips made by other US officials as part of attempts to stabilize ceasefire arrangements.
The second phase of the peace plan involves critical steps including setting up an interim government in Gaza and deploying an international stabilisation force, alongside Israeli troop withdrawals and disarmament of Hamas.
The war in Gaza began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, resulting in a significant loss of life on both sides.
