Trump Vows to Block Israeli Annexation of West Bank Amid Rising Global Pressure and Gaza Ceasefire Hopes

In a stark rebuke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Thursday that he "will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank," emphasizing, "It's not going to happen." The comments, made to White House reporters in the Oval Office, come ahead of Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday and a bilateral meeting with Trump on Monday.

Trump's stance follows private assurances he gave to Arab and Muslim leaders during a Tuesday meeting at the UNGA sidelines, where they warned that West Bank annexation could collapse the Abraham Accords—Trump's signature 2020 normalization deals between Israel and Arab states. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan noted post-meeting that Trump "understands very well the risks and dangers of annexation." The U.S. leader confirmed recent talks with Netanyahu and other regional figures, adding optimism on Gaza: "We're getting pretty close to having a deal... and maybe even peace."

Israel faces mounting international isolation over its ongoing occupation and war in Gaza, now in its second year. Ultranationalists in Netanyahu's coalition, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have intensified calls for West Bank annexation—home to 700,000 Israeli settlers and 2.7 million Palestinians—as a bulwark against Palestinian statehood. Such a move, Israel has occupied since 1967, would likely end prospects for a two-state solution, prompting condemnations from the UK and Germany, who warned of repercussions, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who deemed it "morally, legally and politically intolerable."

Surge in Palestinian State Recognition
The backlash has fueled a wave of recognitions for Palestine, now totaling 157 UN member states (81% of members). Recent moves include:
- September 21: Canada, Australia, UK, Portugal.
- September 22: France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, Denmark.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the UNGA via video (barred from travel to New York by U.S. restrictions), hailed these steps and pledged cooperation on France's Monday peace plan. He insisted Hamas would have "no role in governance" and called for a Palestinian state to manage Gaza post-withdrawal, linking it to the West Bank. The U.S. opposes recognition, viewing it as rewarding Hamas for the October 7, 2023, attack that killed ~1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages.

Gaza Ceasefire Momentum
Trump's optimism ties to a U.S.-proposed 21-point plan presented to Arab leaders Tuesday, outlining hostage releases, a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, and post-war governance without Hamas. Hamas has received and is discussing the "ideas" via mediators, signaling readiness for all-for-all exchanges and war-ending guarantees. Israel accepted the framework, per Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, contingent on hostage returns and Hamas disarmament.

Escalating Crisis in Gaza and West Bank
The war, triggered by Hamas's October 7 assault, has killed at least 65,419 Palestinians per Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, including over 18,000 children. Wednesday saw 80+ deaths from Israeli fire, mostly in Gaza City. An August IPC report confirmed famine in Gaza Governorate for the first time in the Middle East, with over 500,000 in "catastrophic" conditions (IPC Phase 5)—starvation, destitution, death—affecting half a million, projected to rise to 640,000 by September's end. Netanyahu denies famine.

A September 16 UN Commission of Inquiry report found Israel committed genocide in Gaza—killing members of the group, causing serious harm, inflicting destructive conditions, and preventing births—citing statements by Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as evidence of intent. Israel rejected it as "distorted and false," calling for the commission's abolition.

In the West Bank, Israel closed the Jordan crossing Wednesday after a Jordanian gunman killed two soldiers, isolating over 2 million Palestinians. De facto control via settlements and restrictions already resembles annexation, per Palestinians.

Broader Repercussions
The EU proposed trade restrictions and sanctions on Israeli extremists, its harshest Gaza response if adopted. Microsoft halted services to an Israeli Defense Ministry unit over Gaza surveillance tech misuse. Netanyahu advocates Israeli self-sufficiency amid boycotts.

As UNGA unfolds under the theme "Better Together: 80 Years for Peace, Development, and Rights," Trump's intervention signals a potential pivot, but skeptics question if it can halt the cycle of violence amid genocide allegations and famine.