Kiryat Gat, Israel — U.S. Vice President JD Vance declared a measured sense of success for the week-old Gaza ceasefire on Tuesday, stating during a visit to Israel that the fragile truce was “going frankly better than I expected.” Despite renewed outbreaks of violence and mutual accusations of violations over the weekend, the Vice President’s comments signaled the Trump administration’s commitment to maintaining momentum for the multi-phase, U.S.-brokered deal.
Vance, who toured a newly opened Civilian Military Coordination Center in the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Gat, projected “great optimism” that the October 10 ceasefire would hold, even as he cautioned that the complex path to peace requires patience and continued effort.
Navigating ‘Fits and Starts’
The Vice President’s visit comes at a delicate time, following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and an attack on Israeli troops by Palestinian militants, demonstrating the volatile nature of the de-escalation. However, alongside U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who remarked that progress was “exceeding where we thought we would be at this time,” Vance sought to normalize the turbulence.
“This is exactly how this is going to have to happen when you have people who hate each other, who have been fighting against each other for a very long time,” Vance stated, urging observers not to get “hysterical” about the “fits and starts” of the truce. He noted that the primary achievement so far has been the transition from intense warfare to a more “peacetime posture.”
The Hostage Impasse and Disarmament Warning
A significant point of friction remains the pace of the return of deceased Israeli hostages, a key component of the first phase of the deal. While Hamas has returned some remains, Israel is pressing for the handover of more. Vice President Vance addressed the Israeli frustration directly, counseling “a little bit of patience.”
“Some of these hostages are buried under thousands of pounds of rubble. Some of the hostages, nobody even knows where they are,” he explained, noting the practical difficulties. Under the arrangement, Israel is returning Palestinian bodies for each deceased hostage’s remains received.
Looking ahead to the thornier second phase—which includes the disarmament of Hamas and the formation of a new governing body for Gaza—Vance issued a stark warning. He reiterated President Trump’s position, stating that if Hamas does not cooperate, the group will be “obliterated.” Yet, he refused to set an explicit deadline for disarmament, urging flexibility, as “a lot of this stuff is unpredictable.”
Aid and Governance Challenges
Beyond security, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to pose a major challenge. While aid shipments are increasing, officials from international organizations have voiced concern that the current flow is a fraction of the promised amount, severely limiting the ability to push back against famine in the north.
Regarding the long-term future, Vance was clear: the focus now must be on security, rebuilding, and getting food and medicine to the population. While U.S. troops have been sent to Israel to monitor the ceasefire, Vance stressed that there will be no American boots on the ground in Gaza. Instead, he confirmed that officials are beginning to conceptualize an international security force for the territory, naming Turkey and Indonesia as potential participating countries.
In summation, the Vice President’s visit served as a visible reassurance from the White House that it remains intensely focused on the success of its signature Middle East peace effort. Despite the inevitable setbacks, the administration’s message is one of determination: the ceasefire is tough, but it’s working better than anticipated, and with continued resolve, a “great outcome is possible.”