Tel Aviv, Israel — Vice President JD Vance arrived in Israel on Tuesday amid rising concerns within the Trump administration that the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could unravel. Sources familiar with the matter told CNN that Vance’s trip is aimed at reinforcing the United States’ role in maintaining the recently negotiated truce.
Officials say one of the key objectives of the visit is to ensure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains committed to the US-brokered deal. Some members of the Trump administration reportedly fear that Netanyahu could take actions that might undermine the ceasefire. One US official referred to Vance’s role as “Bibisitting,” while another described it as a “show of force from the highest-ranking official after the president himself,” intended to signal the administration’s stance that the ceasefire must be resilient enough to withstand inevitable skirmishes.
Sources indicate that US officials believe the short-term period following the truce is particularly vulnerable, which prompted Vance’s visit immediately after former President Trump’s trip last week. The situation escalated after Israel accused Hamas of carrying out an attack over the weekend that resulted in the deaths of two IDF soldiers. In retaliation, Israel launched a series of airstrikes in Gaza, killing dozens of people.
US officials have been working to manage the fallout and ensure that the ceasefire is not jeopardized. Despite mutual accusations from both sides of violating the agreement, sources confirmed that Israel and Hamas ultimately reaffirmed their commitment to the truce.
Joining Vance in Israel are two key architects of the Trump administration’s peace efforts: Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner. They are focusing on implementing the longer-term objectives of the president’s 20-point Middle East peace plan. An Israeli source familiar with the discussions said that Witkoff stressed the importance of a proportionate response by Israel to any Hamas aggression. He also emphasized that the next 30 days are critical for the truce to hold and for the talks to progress to the second phase.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials are pressing the US to take steps toward the demilitarization of Hamas before discussions move into reconstruction and long-term development. The issue remains a central sticking point in ongoing negotiations.
Former President Trump has commented both publicly and privately on the weekend’s violence. According to sources, Trump argued that the attack on IDF soldiers was not orchestrated by Hamas leadership but was more of a localized rebellion within the group. He reportedly believes that Hamas remains committed to the ceasefire and ongoing negotiations. At the same time, Trump made it clear that he would not hesitate to order the group “eradicated” if necessary to preserve regional security.
The Trump administration’s coordinated approach—combining high-level visits, diplomatic messaging, and direct engagement with Israeli leadership—reflects the urgency felt by US officials in maintaining the ceasefire. With tensions on the ground still high, the administration is seeking to prevent any further escalation while advancing its broader peace objectives.
Vance’s presence, along with Witkoff and Kushner, underscores the continued importance the administration places on US involvement in Middle East stability. Both sides appear committed to avoiding a breakdown, but sources caution that the truce remains delicate and requires constant monitoring.
As the next few weeks unfold, the world will be watching closely to see whether the ceasefire can hold and whether the Trump administration’s strategy will succeed in keeping both Israel and Hamas engaged in constructive dialogue.