Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, passed a symbolic preliminary vote on Wednesday to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, drawing sharp criticism from U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Labeling the 25-24 vote an “insult” to the Trump administration’s stance, Vance condemned the hard-liner-led motion as a political stunt aimed at undermining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Israel. The bill, which faces slim chances of becoming law due to multiple voting rounds and Netanyahu’s opposition, has ignited international backlash and exposed fractures within Israel’s ruling coalition.

The vote, narrowly approved by a simple majority, is seen as an attempt by far-right factions to embarrass Netanyahu, who faces mounting pressure to maintain a fragile ceasefire and navigate domestic political rifts. Netanyahu’s office called the vote a “deliberate political provocation” by the opposition, highlighting tensions within Israel’s right-wing parties. Analysts warn that such moves risk destabilizing the region further, as annexation would effectively dismantle hopes for a two-state solution, a goal supported by much of the international community.

Vance, speaking before departing Israel, reiterated the Trump administration’s firm opposition to West Bank annexation. “If this is a political stunt, it’s a very stupid one,” he said, emphasizing that U.S. policy under President Trump explicitly rejects such actions. The deputy Palestinian ambassador to the U.N., Majed Bamya, praised the U.S. stance, noting it sent a “clear message” against annexation. Over a dozen countries, including Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, issued a joint statement condemning the vote and labeling Israeli settlements in the West Bank as violations of international law.

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Meanwhile, Vance unveiled U.S. plans for Gaza’s reconstruction, focusing on “Hamas-free” zones like Rafah, where rebuilding could take two to three years and house up to 500,000 people—roughly a quarter of Gaza’s 2 million residents. The war, sparked on October 7, 2023, has left 80% of Gaza’s buildings damaged or destroyed, with reconstruction costs estimated at $53 billion by the World Bank, U.N., and EU. The U.S. is pushing for an international stabilization force, involving Gulf Arab nations, to train a non-Hamas Palestinian police force for Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meeting Netanyahu on Thursday, expressed cautious optimism about the ceasefire, which began October 10, but acknowledged significant challenges. Israeli media dubbed the influx of U.S. officials monitoring the ceasefire as “Bibi-sitting,” a nod to Netanyahu’s nickname and his self-styled image as a reliable leader. However, aid delivery remains a critical issue. Despite expectations of a post-ceasefire aid surge, only 949 aid trucks have been offloaded in Gaza since October 11, hampered by limited open crossings, according to the U.N. and World Food Program.

The World Health Organization reported evacuating 41 critical patients and 145 companions from Gaza, but 15,000 others await medical evacuation. The U.N. Population Fund described dire conditions, with no “normal births” possible due to decimated healthcare infrastructure. Humanitarian groups like Oxfam and the World Food Program stressed the urgent need for more crossings to alleviate aid bottlenecks and address Gaza’s escalating needs.

As Israel grapples with internal divisions and global condemnation, the West Bank vote underscores the delicate balance of diplomacy, reconstruction, and ceasefire efforts in a region on edge. With annexation looming as a divisive issue, the path to stability remains fraught with challenges.

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