A spokesperson from the White House restated President Donald Trump’s disapproval of Israel annexing the West Bank. Emphasizing the importance of a secure West Bank for Israel and aligning with the administration’s peace goals in the region, the official reiterated the stance.
Global criticism mounted against Israeli actions to strengthen control over the occupied West Bank, drawing grave concern from the United Nations Secretary-General. Saudi Arabia and seven other Muslim-majority nations condemned the Israeli initiatives, which facilitate increased settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the new measures, approved by the security cabinet, allowing Jewish Israelis to directly purchase West Bank land and expanding Israeli authority in areas under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction.
Although the timeline for implementation remains unclear, the measures, including land purchases and increased control, were reported to move forward without additional approvals. Separately, Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza resulted in the deaths of three Palestinians, with reports of casualties from bombings in specific areas. Additionally, a Palestinian woman was killed by Israeli forces in al-Masdar village in central Gaza, while a group of 40 returnees entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing.
