Tel Aviv (TDI): The United States Vice President, JD Vance, has landed in Israel for talks that seek to put pressure on Netanyahu to keep the ceasefire intact. But Vance is not the only one from the US’ side taking part in these talks.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Kushner – who recently assumed a great role in US-backed mediation that led to the ceasefire, are already in Tel Aviv since Monday.
New York Times, citing White House officials, has reported that Trump administration fears Netanyahu might jeopardize and eventually collapse the ceasefire.
These fears are rightly placed in view of the Sunday violation of ceasefire by Israel; when its strikes across Gaza killed at least 44 Palestinians. Hamas, which has been alleged by Israel for initiating gun fire on Israeli troops leading to Sunday strikes, denied involvement in any such violation of the truce.
After Sunday strikes, Trump had to clarify that the ceasefire remains in place. “Some rebels within may have acted independently,” Trump said. “Either way, it’s going to be handled, firmly, but fairly.”
Read More: Trump Confirms Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Still Intact After Gaza Strikes
When asked about the Israeli strikes on Sunday, Vance bracketed them as the “ups and downs” and “fits and starts” that are part of a ceasefire. “Hamas may fire at Israel, and Israel will respond. That’s unfortunately part of managing a ceasefire. But we still believe it has the best chance of lasting peace.”
The ceasefire that took effect on October 10 is part of the phased long-term plan for peace in the region and Gaza’s reconstruction.
Matters such as a stabilization force in Gaza and disarmament of Hamas are also on the agenda of the Vance’s two-day maiden trip to Tel Aviv.
The interim governance set-up in Gaza, creation of a stabilization force, and Hamas having no role in this future are all sensitive points of Trump’s 20-point peace plan whose first phase implementation has seen a major ceasefire violation already.
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