Jerusalem, Oct 23 (AP) US Vice President JD Vance has publicly condemned the Israeli parliament’s recent vote supporting the annexation of the West Bank, labeling it an “insult” that contradicts the policies of the Trump administration. This vote comes amid ongoing efforts to maintain a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

On Wednesday, the Israeli parliament conducted a narrow preliminary vote endorsing the annexation of the occupied West Bank, a move perceived as an attempt to undermine Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while Vance was visiting. The bill, primarily backed by hard-line members of parliament, saw only one member from Netanyahu’s Likud Party supporting it. Given Netanyahu’s opposition, the bill is expected to struggle in subsequent votes required for it to become law.

Despite some coalition members, including those from Likud, previously advocating for annexation, they have since retreated from those positions following President Trump’s recent disapproval of such actions. The United Arab Emirates, a significant ally in the peace process, has warned that any annexation would be a “red line.” Before departing from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport, Vance remarked that if the Knesset’s vote was merely a “political stunt,” it was a “very stupid political stunt,” emphasizing that the Trump administration’s stance is against the annexation of the West Bank.

The West Bank, captured by Israel during the 1967 Mideast war, is sought by Palestinians as part of a future independent state. Israeli annexation would severely undermine the prospects for a two-state solution, a widely supported resolution by the international community.

In a related development, Vance announced the establishment of a civilian military coordination center in southern Israel, where approximately 200 US troops are collaborating with the Israeli military and international delegations to stabilize and reconstruct Gaza. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who plans to visit the center, stated intentions to appoint a Foreign Service official to work alongside Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the top US military commander in the Middle East.

The US is actively seeking support from allies, particularly Gulf Arab nations, to form an international stabilization force for Gaza and to train a Palestinian security force. Rubio expressed the desire to establish Palestinian police forces in Gaza that are independent of Hamas.

Israeli media has described the continuous visits by American officials to ensure Israel adheres to the fragile ceasefire as “Bibi-sitting,” a term derived from Netanyahu’s nickname.

In Gaza, the situation remains dire, particularly concerning medical care. The World Health Organization reported on Thursday the first medical evacuation since the ceasefire began on October 10, successfully evacuating 41 critical patients and 145 companions from the Gaza Strip. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged nations to assist the approximately 15,000 patients still awaiting medical care outside Gaza.

Andrew Saberton, an executive director at the UN Population Fund, described the devastation in Gaza as overwhelming, stating that there is no longer a “normal birth” experience in the region. He highlighted the challenges faced by Palestinian women, many of whom are forced to give birth in unsafe conditions due to the lack of accessible healthcare facilities.

In a separate legal matter, Israel’s Supreme Court held a hearing regarding the potential reopening of the Gaza Strip to international media, granting the state 30 days to present a new position in light of the ceasefire. The Foreign Press Association, representing numerous international news organizations, has called for the government to allow journalists access, expressing disappointment at the current restrictions. The court had previously denied a request for access due to government security concerns, and the case has faced delays since a second request was filed in September 2024. Palestinian journalists have been covering the ongoing conflict under severe restrictions, with many facing danger and displacement.