US President Donald Trump has said he will not allow Benjamin Netanyahu to annex the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Speaking ahead of the Israeli prime minister's address to the UN General Assembly, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank ... It's not going to happen.
Trump, who will meet Netanyahu next week, also noted that a deal regarding Gaza was pretty close.
Pressures on Israel to conclude its military operations have escalated globally, as several Western nations now formally recognize an independent Palestinian state. Advocates for annexation in Israel argue that it could help curtail this trend.
Netanyahu's far-right coalition has amplified calls for Israel to annex the West Bank entirely, but UK and German leaders have warned Israel against taking such steps. UN Secretary-General António Guterres regarded any such annexation as morally, legally, and politically intolerable.
Recently, Trump stated he had been in communication with various Middle Eastern leaders about the situation. He indicated that discussions surrounding Gaza, and potentially broader peace efforts, are gaining traction.
During a video address at the UN General Assembly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated his readiness to collaborate with world leaders to implement a peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians, as he thanked nations that have recognized Palestinian statehood in recent days.
Simultaneously, the US has affirmed its opposition to recognizing Palestine, maintaining that such recognition constitutes a reward to Hamas.
Amid rising tensions, the Israeli military continues operations in Gaza, leading to significant civilian casualties. As the situation evolves, more countries are now considering diplomatic and economic repercussions against Israel, in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
