Description: Antonio Guterres, UN’s Secretary General while speaking in the economic forum in Davos warned the international community that Israel might seize the opportunity and annex the West Bank in the upcoming period. He referenced the ongoing special operation conducted by Israeli defense forces in Jenin as part of Israel’s strategy to possibly annex the West Bank as it showed no such interest for the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday an annexation bill was voted down in the Israeli Knesset by several members including hard – line individuals from Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party, citing untimely proposition for such action.
Impact: With the Gaza ceasefire in effect, Israel’s military operations in the West Bank indicate on further expansionist ambitions. The down vote of the annexation bill on Wednesday further elaborates on Israel’s long-term strategy of territorial expansion and the eradication of Hamas and Hezbollah from both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The international community should diplomatically intervene and avoid possible conflict escalation across both enclaves as the Gaza ceasefire agreement is still in its founding stages.