Vance on prospects for implementing Israel–Hamas deal
Photo: US vice president J.D. Vance optimistic about Israel–Hamas deal (Getty Images)
US Vice President J.D. Vance is "optimistic" about the adherence to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to CNN.
US Vice President J.D. Vance, during his visit to Israel, expressed optimism about the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
"What we’ve seen the past week gives me great optimism the ceasefire is going to hold," Vance said at a news conference, adding, "I feel very optimistic. Can I say with 100% certainty that it’s going to work? No."
At the same time, Vance declined to specify a timeline for the return of Israeli hostages’ remains or for Hamas’s disarmament, saying these steps "take a little bit of time" and that security and humanitarian structures must first be established in Gaza.
"If Hamas doesn’t comply with the deal, very bad things are going to happen. But I’m not going to do what the president of United States has thus far refused to do, which is put an explicit deadline on it, because a lot of this stuff is difficult," Vance said.
US concern over Israel–Hamas deal
The vice president’s presence in the region is intended, at least in part, to ensure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s adherence to the agreement. According to CNN, some officials in the Trump administration fear Netanyahu may attempt to derail it.
Sources told CNN that among US officials involved in negotiations, there is a prevailing view that the truce faces its greatest risk in the short term. That is why Vance traveled to the region immediately following Trump’s visit there last week.
Tensions escalated further after Israel accused Hamas of carrying out an attack that killed two Israel Defense Forces soldiers. Israel responded with a wave of airstrikes that killed dozens of people in Gaza.
J.D. Vance's visit to Israel
Vance departed for Israel on October 20 to hold a series of meetings amid the Trump administration’s efforts to maintain the fragile peace in the region.
His schedule includes talks with Israel’s prime minister and president, as well as meetings with families of hostages and recently released captives.
Vance had earlier announced that he might visit Israel following renewed tensions between Israel and Hamas after the signing of the ceasefire agreement.
US officials believe that the next 30 days will be decisive for implementing President Donald Trump’s peace plan.
According to Axios, the Gaza ceasefire agreement represents a major diplomatic achievement for Trump, though his administration considers the situation between Israel and Hamas extremely fragile, requiring sustained oversight.
