The Trump administration has expressed frustration with Israel’s conduct over the past two weeks since a cease-fire in Gaza was announced, according to a new report.
Politico’s report, published on Thursday, cites two specific incidents as detrimental to cease-fire efforts: Israel’s strikes in Gaza on Sunday in response to an attack that killed two IDF soldiers, and Wednesday’s preliminary vote in the Knesset to apply Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank.
According to the report, Vice President JD Vance – who wrapped up a visit to Israel on Thursday – delivered a “firm message” to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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On Sunday, Hamas militants killed two Israeli soldiers near Rafah. In response, the IDF conducted airstrikes across the Gaza Strip. Politico reported that Israel told the U.S. it would respond in a “careful and limited” manner, but the strikes ended up killing more than 40 civilians. A senior U.S. official reportedly told an Arab ally that Israel was “out of control.”
Days later, the Knesset advanced a bill that would annex the West Bank. The preliminary vote, which comes prior to the three required votes in the Knesset before becoming law, passed with 25 lawmakers in support and 24 against. Netanyahu’s Likud party called the vote a “stunt by the opposition aimed at harming our relations with the United States.”
The vote triggered condemnations from several U.S. officials, including Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
President Trump downplayed the effect of the vote.
“Don’t worry about the West Bank,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “Israel is not going to do anything with the West Bank.”