Israel has suspended controversial legislation to annex the West Bank following intense international backlash, as rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas convene in Cairo for rare reconciliation talks. The developments mark a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern geopolitics amid ongoing humanitarian challenges in Gaza.
Annexation Bills Frozen
Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz confirmed Thursday that two bills proposing full West Bank annexation and expansion of Maale Adumim settlement near Jerusalem would not advance further. The decision came after Wednesday's preliminary Knesset vote coincided with U.S. Vice President JD Vance's regional visit, drawing sharp criticism from Washington and Muslim-majority nations.
International Condemnation Mounts
Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Türkiye, and 13 other nations joined multilateral organizations in condemning the legislative move. EU leaders meeting in Brussels simultaneously demanded Israel halt settlement expansion while acknowledging progress in Gaza ceasefire implementation. Vance dismissed the Knesset vote as a "political stunt," with Netanyahu's office blaming opposition parties for creating diplomatic friction.
Palestinian Unity Efforts
Egyptian media reported high-level talks between Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya and Fatah's Hussein al-Sheikh, signaling potential coordination on post-war Gaza governance. The discussions coincide with preparations for a November reconstruction conference and negotiations on the second phase of the U.S.-backed peace plan.
Gaza's Deepening Crisis
UN agencies warn of catastrophic public health conditions in Gaza City, with damaged sanitation systems and widespread disease outbreaks. The World Health Organization recently evacuated 186 critical patients – the first medical transfers since October's ceasefire – while 15,000 more await urgent care. Displaced families urgently require food, clean water, and winter supplies as infrastructure repair efforts lag.
