Sa'ar informs Rubio of Israel's intention to annex the West Bank, and the Washington ambassador visits the Efrat settlement.

Israeli and American sources revealed that the issue of imposing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank has returned strongly to the forefront of political discussions between Tel Aviv and Washington, amid Israeli warnings to announce the step in the coming months, at a time when international efforts to recognize the Palestinian state are escalating.

The Israeli website "Walla" reported from special sources that Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar informed his American counterpart Marco Rubio during their recent meeting in Washington that Israel is quietly moving towards imposing its sovereignty over the West Bank.

The sources indicated that the official discussions that took place between the two ministers last Wednesday openly addressed the files of Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, while the issue of sovereignty over the West Bank was discussed behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Post confirmed that American officials made it clear to their Israeli counterparts that the sovereignty decision is "an internal Israeli matter," and that Tel Aviv must clarify its position before entering into negotiations with Washington.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee made a "social" visit to the Efrat settlement in southern Bethlehem and participated in Saturday prayers at a local synagogue.

The head of the settlement council, Dovi Sheffler, noted that the visit represents "moral support that strengthens settlement," as he put it.

Huckabee used the term "Judea and Samaria" instead of the West Bank, in clear alignment with official Israeli terminology, and considered that European actions against Israel "are pushing increasing sectors within Israel to seriously consider annexing parts of the area."

For its part, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that the security cabinet discussed the issue of annexing the West Bank in its last meeting, and that it will hold another session dedicated next Sunday to discuss the possibility of imposing sovereignty as a "direct response" to the wave of recognition of the Palestinian state expected from several countries during this month.

In turn, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich intensified pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes - demanding a swift and decisive decision.

During a speech in the settlement of Ofra in the West Bank, he stated that "sovereignty is not decided in Washington or the United Nations, but here in Israel," calling for its imposition over the entire West Bank, not just specific parts of it.

These developments coincide with preparations for the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September, where a group of countries - including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal, and San Marino - intends to push for official recognition of the Palestinian state.

Other European countries, such as Britain, France, Malta, and Norway, have preceded them in announcing similar positions.

In contrast, Israel continues its bloody aggression against the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, with absolute American support, resulting in the martyrdom of 63,459 Palestinians and the injury of 160,256 others, most of whom are children and women, in addition to more than 9,000 missing, and famine that has killed 339 Palestinians, including 124 children.

In the West Bank, the ongoing Israeli aggression has resulted in the martyrdom of more than 1,016 Palestinians, the injury of about 7,000 others, and the arrest of more than 18,500 Palestinians, according to Palestinian statistics.