US warns Israeli annexation moves threaten fragile Gaza ceasefire

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a direct warning to Israel on Wednesday, stating that its parliament's preliminary approval of bills to annex parts of the occupied West Bank is undermining the Gaza ceasefire deal brokered by President Donald Trump. Rubio, speaking to reporters before a diplomatic trip to Israel, expressed that the US cannot support such moves at this critical juncture.

Diplomatic Friction

"The president has made clear this is not something we can support right now. We believe it even threatens the peace deal," Rubio stated. He acknowledged Israel's democratic processes but emphasized the timing is counterproductive to ongoing diplomatic efforts. This public admonition aligns with previous statements from President Trump, who last month opposed any Israeli annexation of the West Bank.

The Legislative Context

The Israeli Knesset passed two annexation-related bills in a preliminary vote, though they require three more readings to become law. This legislative action occurred concurrently with a visit by Vice President JD Vance, who is part of a US push to maintain the fragile ceasefire that took effect on October 10. Analysts note that annexing the West Bank would effectively terminate the prospect of a two-state solution, a long-standing framework endorsed by numerous UN resolutions.

Regional Escalation and International Law

The political maneuver in Israel unfolds against a backdrop of heightened violence in the West Bank. Since October 2023, Israeli operations have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties and detentions. This latest development also defies a landmark opinion from the International Court of Justice, which last July declared Israel's occupation illegal and demanded the evacuation of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The current US-mediated ceasefire deal, which includes hostage-prisoner exchanges and plans for Gaza's reconstruction, now faces a significant new challenge.