The implementation of a Gaza ceasefire agreement is going better than expected and the truce can hold, US Vice-President JD Vance has stated during a visit to Israel.
Vance also warned that if Hamas does not co-operate, it will be obliterated, while refusing to provide a deadline for when the Palestinian group must disarm, a point still under negotiation. US President Donald Trump, who facilitated the ceasefire earlier this month, indicated that America’s allies in the Middle East would be prepared to intervene with significant force if Hamas violates the agreement.
Vance's remarks come following a recent escalation of violence on Sunday, which risked disrupting the 12-day-old truce, after Hamas was blamed for an attack that killed two Israeli soldiers, prompting Israeli air strikes that killed numerous Palestinians.
In light of this, Vance is expected to encourage Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to engage in discussions regarding long-term peace solutions. He commended Israel for its cooperation in pursuing the truce's aims but noted that substantial work remains to secure lasting peace.
Two US envoys who assisted in negotiating the ceasefire, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, joined Vance during a briefing in southern Israel after meeting with Netanyahu.
Trump's administration continues to press for dialogue on the next stages of their 20-point Gaza peace initiative, which envisions installing an interim government in Palestinian territories, deploying international stabilizing forces, and disarming Hamas—all conditions that Israel insists must be met before meaningful talks can proceed.
As the ceasefire encounters barriers due to persistent violence, both parties wrestle with maintaining stability and the humanitarian needs of those affected in Gaza. The UN has expressed the importance of sustaining the ceasefire to deliver essential aid. Over 530 trucks have delivered food but challenges remain in consistently reaching all areas.
Meanwhile, Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya insists that the group remains committed to the ceasefire deal, reaffirming its commitment to return the bodies of deceased hostages despite logistical challenges in retrieving them. Israel has confirmed that it continues to enforce the ceasefire even as it retaliates to provocations.
The complexities of this situation underscore the fragile nature of peace in the region as diplomatic efforts continue amidst ongoing tensions.
