U.S. Secretary of State: Israel's Moves to Annex the West Bank Threaten Gaza Ceasefire

SadaNews - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the Israeli Knesset's approval of bills aimed at expanding Israeli sovereignty in the occupied West Bank could "threaten" the ongoing ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

This came in statements made shortly before his departure to Israel, where he also mentioned that President Donald Trump confirmed that the Israeli move is something Washington cannot support at this time.

The U.S. Secretary of State noted that countries outside the Middle East are willing to contribute to an international force in Gaza, but he did not disclose which countries they are.

The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday evening that Rubio will visit Israel to support the successful implementation of Trump's plan to end the conflict in Gaza, and that he "will work with partners to build on the historic momentum towards lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East."

J.D. Vance, the U.S. Vice President, had previously visited Israel before Rubio, expressing optimism about the ceasefire's durability in Gaza. However, he stated after his meeting on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that it requires a lot of effort.

For its part, Channel 12 reported that American and Israeli officials said Rubio asked Netanyahu to give a chance to the agreement to end the war in Gaza and assist in its implementation, to which Netanyahu responded that he is prepared for that.

The channel reported that Vance will meet in Israel - today Thursday - with the Ministers of Defense and Strategic Affairs and senior military leaders.

Following discussions about Vance's announcement that work is underway to establish an international force as part of President Trump's plan, the "Times of Israel" reported that Netanyahu's office rejected the deployment of Turkish forces in the Gaza Strip.

For his part, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux announced that France is working with the United States and Britain to present a proposal to the Security Council to form an international force aimed at stabilizing the situation in the Gaza Strip.

Confavreux added that this force will support the Palestinian security forces.