US Warns Israel: West Bank Annexation Could Endanger Gaza Peace Deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Israel that any step toward West Bank annexation could harm the recently signed Gaza peace plan. Rubio made these remarks on Wednesday, just before leaving for his visit to Israel.

He said the US is deeply concerned about the Israeli parliament’s recent move to advance two bills aiming to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. The legislation came only a week after President Donald Trump announced a peace deal meant to end Israel’s two-year offensive in Gaza, launched after a Hamas attack.

Speaking to reporters aboard his plane, Rubio said, “I think the president’s made it clear that this is not something we can support right now.”

He explained that annexation efforts could seriously threaten the peace deal, adding, “They’re a democracy, they’ll have their votes, but at this time, such steps might be counterproductive.”

Rubio also expressed concern about settler violence in the West Bank, saying, “We’re worried about anything that could destabilize what we have worked so hard to build.”

The United States, which has long been Israel’s top military and diplomatic ally, hopes to maintain the fragile progress made in the peace talks. Rubio’s visit follows that of Vice President JD Vance, showing Washington’s continuous engagement in Middle East diplomacy.

Rubio, however, sounded cautiously optimistic. He said the peace process remains on track despite ongoing threats. “Every day there’ll be challenges, but I think we’re ahead of schedule. The fact that we made it through this weekend is a good sign,” he noted.

Several Arab and Islamic nations, which the US has been urging to support a stabilization force in Gaza, have warned that annexation of the West Bank would cross a red line.

The West Bank is currently governed by the Palestinian Authority, seen as a moderate rival to Hamas. Any attempt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies to annex the region could disrupt regional peace and international cooperation efforts.