US Vice President JD Vance and other envoys are projecting optimism about Gaza’s fragile ceasefire agreement, calling progress better than anticipated even as they acknowledge the significant challenges that remain — from disarming Hamas to distributing humanitarian aid to rebuilding a territory devastated by two years of war.
During his visit to Israel overnight, Vance noted the recent flare-ups of violence but said the ceasefire that began on October 10 was going “better than I expected” after two years of war between Israel and Hamas.
The US Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, added that “we are exceeding where we thought we would be at this time”.
US Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump. Credit: AP
Vance tried to downplay any idea that his visit – his first as vice president – was urgently arranged to keep the ceasefire in place. He said he felt “confident that we’re going to be in a place where this peace lasts,” but echoed President Donald Trump in saying that if Hamas didn’t cooperate, it would be “obliterated”.
Vance is expected to stay in the region until Thursday and meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials.
Also, Israel’s military said Hamas has handed over the remains of two more hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza.
Since the ceasefire began, the remains of 13 hostages have been returned to Israel. After these latest remains arrive in Israel, another 13 still need to be recovered in Gaza and handed over.
AP
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