Washington: President Donald Trump has declared  the United States will not permit Israel to annex the West Bank, marking a significant shift in American policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had directly informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that annexation is “not going to happen.” The announcement comes amid growing concerns over Israel’s settlement expansion and mounting international pressure to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.

Trump’s comments follow weeks of speculation that right-wing members of Netanyahu’s coalition were preparing plans to extend Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank, including the Jordan Valley and key settlement blocs.

Far-right ministers such as Bezalel Smotrich have openly advocated annexation, with some proposals covering up to 82 percent of the territory.

The president’s firm stance aligns with increasing global calls to halt unilateral actions. Several countries, including Britain, Canada, France, and Australia, recently recognized a Palestinian state, aiming to counter Israel’s moves on the ground and reinforce the two-state framework. Meanwhile, Arab leaders have warned that annexation would cross a dangerous “red line,” threatening wider regional instability.

Despite Trump’s warning, Israel has continued settlement expansion in 2025, approving 22 new projects in the West Bank and resuming controversial plans in the E1 corridor east of Jerusalem. Human rights groups and a recent United Nations commission report accused Israel of pursuing a strategy of “permanent control” over Gaza and the West Bank, raising concerns of de facto annexation.

The policy declaration also comes as Israel intensifies its offensive in Gaza, where heavy bombardments in Gaza City have worsened the humanitarian crisis. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the United Nations this week, accused Israel of genocide and reiterated his rejection of Hamas’s role in any future Palestinian government.

For Netanyahu, Trump’s statement could complicate relations with hardline coalition partners who view annexation as a central political goal. Analysts suggest the Israeli prime minister may now face pressure to balance U.S. demands with domestic political survival.

Trump has linked the move to his wider Middle East peace initiative, which includes a 21-point proposal for Gaza and renewed diplomatic outreach to regional powers. However, questions remain over how Washington intends to enforce its opposition to annexation and whether Israel will ultimately comply.

The coming weeks are expected to test U.S.-Israeli relations as both governments confront escalating violence in Gaza and rising international demands for a diplomatic breakthrough.