First US Comment on West Bank Annexation Moves: Washington Warns Step Threatens "Trump's Plan" to End Gaza Conflict

US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, warned that the move by the Israeli Knesset towards annexing the West Bank would threaten President Donald Trump's plan to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Rubio also confirmed, as reported by Reuters, that countries from outside the Middle East are prepared to contribute to an international force for Gaza.

This warning followed the Israeli Knesset's preliminary approval in the first reading, yesterday, Wednesday, of draft laws to impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and the settlement city of "Ma'ale Adumim", according to the Hebrew "Channel 12".

Coalition Splits and Avoiding Embarrassment

The Hebrew channel indicated that the vote occurred amid chaos within the ruling coalition, leading to the withdrawal of its own legislative proposals from the Knesset agenda. The Hebrew newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported that Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, requested the withdrawal of a proposal submitted by Avi Maoz to avoid embarrassment with US Vice President, J.D. Vance, who is currently visiting Israel.

Conversely, proposals submitted by opposition Knesset members were approved:

1. Avi Maoz's Proposal: To impose sovereignty over the West Bank, approved in the preliminary reading by a majority of 25 in favor to 24 against. The proposal will be transferred to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for discussion.

2. Avigdor Lieberman's Proposal: To impose sovereignty over the "Ma'ale Adumim" settlement, approved in the preliminary reading by a majority of 32 in favor to 9 against. This proposal will also be transferred to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.