U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Israel on Tuesday to help advance the fragile Gaza ceasefire and push for progress. He met top Israeli leaders as part of efforts to move talks into a second phase under President Trump’s 20-point plan. The visit follows growing concerns about repeated ceasefire violations and the slow pace of aid and body returns.
The ceasefire, now in its eighth day, remains unstable. Both Israel and Hamas have blamed each other for breaking the truce. Though some hostages’ bodies have been returned and aid has entered Gaza, humanitarian needs remain high. The U.N. says supplies are still far below daily targets, and northern Gaza has yet to receive relief.
Read more: Israeli military launches attacks on Gaza; ceasefire under strain
Vance is expected to press Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for assurances that Hamas will eventually disarm. But Hamas leaders meeting in Cairo have not agreed to this demand. Instead, they support a neutral Palestinian committee to govern Gaza, with no Hamas role, though under its approval. This idea is still under discussion among mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
Trump’s ceasefire plan also includes long-term goals like establishing a Palestinian state. However, these steps face serious resistance. Tensions remain high after Hamas executed suspected collaborators, drawing U.S. criticism. Despite this, Hamas claims it remains committed to the first-phase commitments, including body returns and ceasefire compliance.
Read more: Hamas Hands Over Another Hostage’s Body to Israel
Aid is slowly increasing through two crossings, but it is far from enough. Violence near Israel’s military withdrawal line continues, with new deaths reported. As pressure mounts on all parties, Vance’s visit marks a critical attempt to keep diplomacy on track and avoid a collapse of the truce.