Donald Trump has announced his opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to annex the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Speaking to White House reporters, Trump stated emphatically, I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank... It's not going to happen. This declaration precedes a scheduled meeting between Trump and Netanyahu.
As tensions rise, Trump mentioned that a ceasefire agreement regarding the ongoing hostilities in Gaza might be within reach. International pressure on Israel has intensified, particularly as Western nations increasingly recognize the state of Palestine. Far-right factions in Israel see annexation as a preventative measure against the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Calls for annexation from extremists within Netanyahu's coalition have been met with warnings from global leaders, including the UK and Germany. UN Secretary-General António Guterres labeled any annexation attempt as morally, legally and politically intolerable. In recent discussions, Trump reportedly engaged with Netanyahu and other regional leaders regarding strategies to restore peace and address the Gaza situation.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the UN Assembly through video, affirmed his readiness to collaborate globally on the implementation of a recently proposed peace plan that calls for a Palestinian state. His opportunity to do so in person was impeded as the US barred him from traveling to New York for the UN meeting.
Trump's remarks come against the backdrop of worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where Israeli military actions have resulted in significant civilian casualties. Reports indicate over 65,000 deaths in the region since the beginning of the latest conflict, highlighting the urgent need for resolution and international intervention.
As diplomatic tensions continue to escalate, Trump's firm stance against annexation signals a complicated landscape as both local and international entities push for viable pathways to peace while grappling with the deep-rooted complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.