U.S. Vice President JD Vance has cautioned that dismantling Hamas and securing a lasting peace in Gaza will be a difficult yet essential task for the United States and its allies. His remarks came during a diplomatic visit to Israel aimed at reinforcing Washington’s commitment to the recently brokered ceasefire agreement.
On Wednesday, Vance met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, as part of a three-day mission to support the U.S.-led peace framework designed to end the conflict, recover hostages, and initiate Gaza’s reconstruction.
“We have a very tough task ahead to disarm Hamas while rebuilding Gaza and improving life for its people, all while ensuring Israel’s security,” Vance said.
The trip underscores Washington’s efforts to reassure Israel about the next phase of the ceasefire plan, which U.S. officials describe as a pathway toward long-term stability in the region. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Thursday for further talks with Netanyahu.
Building Ground for Peace
Vance began his visit by inaugurating the Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in southwest Israel. The facility will serve as a joint hub for U.S., allied, and Israeli forces to supervise the ceasefire, coordinate humanitarian aid, and manage reconstruction logistics.
He emphasized the importance of international cooperation, noting that “Israeli and American teams are working side by side to make this ceasefire process operational and to start rebuilding critical infrastructure.”
A central feature of President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan involves establishing an international security force to maintain stability in Gaza as Israeli troops withdraw. Although the U.S. will not deploy troops inside Gaza, its personnel will coordinate operations from the CMCC in Kiryat Gat, Israel.
Tensions Over Turkey’s Possible Role
Reports suggesting Turkey might contribute troops to the security mission have sparked unease in Israel, given Ankara’s history of criticism toward Netanyahu’s government. The Israeli leader said that final decisions about the force’s composition would be made jointly with Washington.
“I have very strong opinions about that,” Netanyahu remarked when asked about Turkey’s participation. “You can probably guess what they are.”
Optimism Amid Fragile Peace
Despite renewed violence on Sunday that killed two Israeli soldiers and prompted retaliatory air strikes, Vance expressed “great optimism” that the truce would hold.
Netanyahu defended the ceasefire deal, which has faced criticism from Israeli hardliners. “We managed to put Hamas under immense military pressure while isolating it diplomatically across the Arab and Muslim world,” he said, crediting U.S. mediation for helping secure the release of hostages.
Vance described the Gaza deal as a “critical step toward revitalizing the Abraham Accords,” the broader U.S. initiative to normalize relations between Israel and Arab nations.
International Legal and Humanitarian Concerns
Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion reminding Israel of its obligation to ensure Palestinians’ access to basic needs and allow UN agencies to operate freely in Gaza. Israel rejected the ruling, calling it a politically motivated move disguised as international law.
On the ground, the ceasefire has brought partial relief to Gaza’s war-weary residents. “The war has stopped, and there are no sounds of bombing like before,” said Imran Skeik, a displaced resident sheltering in a tent in Gaza City. “We just hope this ceasefire lasts.”
Hostage Exchanges and Continuing Recovery
The Israeli military confirmed Wednesday that the remains of two more hostages Aryeh Zalmanovich and army officer Tamir Adar were identified among those returned by Hamas. Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas has so far returned 15 of the 28 promised hostage remains. For each Israeli returned, Israel has released 15 deceased Palestinians, bringing the total to 195 since the truce began.
The war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on Israel that killed 1,221 people, has since claimed over 68,000 lives in Gaza, according to health officials in the territory. Despite ongoing tensions, both sides under international pressure appear committed to maintaining the fragile peace as efforts toward reconstruction and reconciliation cautiously move forward.
