Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wears a face mask against COVID-19, bearing the US and Israeli flags, during a press conference with US special representative for Iran (not seen) at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on June 30, 2020. (Abir Sultan/POOL/AFP)

His office said in a statement Wednesday the same day Netanyahu convened top Israeli security staff, including National Security Adviser Meir Ben Shabbat on Wednesday, to discuss the issue.

Netanyahu had aimed to start the process by July 1, but the controversial plan has been cancelled. Beyond international opposition, Netanyahu has encountered resistance from his Blue and White governing partners. Blue and White’s leader, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, this week said Wednesday’s target date was not “sacred” and suggested that annexation can wait while the government grapples with Israel’s coronavirus crisis.