During a visit to Jerusalem on Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance articulated the US position on its recent high-level engagements in Israel. He stated that the visits by top American officials were aimed at overseeing the delicate cease-fire agreement in Gaza, explicitly clarifying that this role was not akin to “monitoring a toddler.” Both Vance and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized their countries’ close alliance and ongoing collaboration.
“We are not seeking a vassal state, nor is Israel one,” Mr. Vance declared. “We do not desire a client state, and that is not what Israel represents. Our goal is a true partnership.”
These remarks followed Vance’s meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. His trip occurred barely a week after President Trump’s own visit to Israel. Notably, Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s Middle East envoy, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, have also been present in Israel recently, indicating a sustained diplomatic push.
The Vice President affirmed that these high-level visits are integral to American efforts to safeguard the cease-fire. He clarified, “It’s not about monitoring in the sense of, you know, you monitor a toddler. It’s about ensuring that the substantial work being done by dedicated individuals is effectively supported by the administration’s leadership.”
However, Mr. Vance cautioned that the subsequent phases of the cease-fire agreement would be challenging to implement.
Following a proposal from President Trump in September, Israel and Hamas had agreed to a truce earlier this month, marking a pause in their two-year conflict. Despite this, the cease-fire has experienced growing pressure recently due to recurring outbursts of violence in Gaza.
Anonymously speaking, several Trump administration officials revealed concerns that Prime Minister Netanyahu might abandon the agreement. The current strategy involves Mr. Vance, Mr. Witkoff, and Mr. Kushner working to prevent the Prime Minister from restarting a full-scale offensive against Hamas.
(Image: Vice President JD Vance met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel in Jerusalem on Wednesday, standing in front of the U.S. and Israeli flags.)
Mr. Vance conveyed the Trump administration’s dedication to transforming the cease-fire into enduring peace. This, he explained, would allow the United States to reduce its direct involvement in the Middle East as regional allies increasingly assume responsibility and ownership of their affairs.
Towards this objective, the Vice President noted that the administration intended to broaden the Abraham Accords, landmark agreements forged during the first Trump administration that normalized relations between Israel and various Arab states. The Gaza peace initiative, Mr. Vance clarified, is considered a crucial component of this larger diplomatic vision.
However, several more complex issues remain unresolved on the path to lasting peace, notably how officials plan to convince Hamas to disarm.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has consistently demanded that the militant group disarm to conclude the war. Hamas, however, views this requirement as a demand for surrender, considering armed resistance against Israel to be a fundamental aspect of its core ideology.
When pressed on Wednesday about strategies to persuade Hamas to disarm, Mr. Vance offered no specific details, simply stating, “We’re going to keep working on it.” This follows his earlier statement on Tuesday, where he refrained from setting a deadline for Hamas’s disarmament or outlining how the militant group’s compliance with this crucial aspect of the cease-fire would be secured.
A further critical question revolves around the future role of the Palestinian Authority, which currently governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, in a post-war Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected any scenario where the Authority would control Gaza after the conflict.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Hussein al-Sheikh, Vice President, and Majed Faraj, Intelligence Chief — both senior Palestinian Authority leaders — were scheduled to travel to Cairo. There, they planned to meet with Egyptian officials to discuss the future of Gaza post-conflict, as confirmed by a spokesman for Mr. al-Sheikh.
In addition to his discussions with Netanyahu, Mr. Vance also held meetings with Isaac Herzog, Israel’s President, and with individuals recently released as hostages from Gaza. He is anticipated to conclude his trip and return to Washington on Thursday.
The initial stage of the cease-fire agreement involved the release of 20 hostages held in Gaza last week. In a reciprocal move, Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Subsequently, Hamas has repatriated the remains of at least 15 individuals to Israel, while Israel has returned the bodies of over 150 Palestinians to Gaza.
Mr. Vance concluded his statements by expressing optimism regarding the longevity of the truce.
“I believe we have a truly historic opportunity before us,” he stated, “and we are committed to continuing this work alongside all our partners in the Israeli government.”