Trump Blocks Israeli Annexation of West Bank and Pushes Gaza Peace Talks
US President Donald Trump said on September 25 he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, rejecting calls from far-right Israeli politicians.
«I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope, it’s not going to happen,» he told reporters, urging an end to the expansion of settlements.
His comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York for the UN General Assembly. France, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal have recently recognised a Palestinian state to preserve hopes for a two-state solution, a move condemned by Israel.
Trump also introduced a 21-point Middle East peace plan aimed at ending nearly two years of conflict in Gaza.
He said he had held talks with Netanyahu and Arab leaders, adding: «We want the hostages back, we want the bodies back and we want peace in that region.»
The Gaza war has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians according to local health officials, with famine hitting parts of the enclave. On September 25 Israeli forces pushed deeper into Gaza City as airstrikes killed at least 19 people.
International aid efforts continue, with Italy and Spain deploying naval ships to protect a civilian flotilla delivering supplies to Gaza.
Kursiv also reports that speaking at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev warned that the credibility of global institutions is weakening amid mounting international tensions.
