US Vice President JD Vance says the ongoing Gaza ceasefire progress is “going better than expected,” expressing cautious optimism during his visit to Israel. The truce, brokered by President Donald Trump earlier this month, has now held for 12 days despite sporadic violence. Vance praised Israel’s cooperation while warning that “if Hamas does not cooperate, it will be obliterated.”
He avoided setting a deadline for Hamas to disarm but emphasized that continued peace depended on the group’s full compliance. President Trump, speaking from Washington, said America’s “great allies” in the region were prepared to “go into Gaza with heavy force” if Hamas violated the agreement again.
Ceasefire Under Strain but Holding
The Gaza ceasefire progress faced its toughest test after a Hamas attack on Sunday killed two Israeli soldiers. Israel retaliated with airstrikes that left dozens of Palestinians dead, prompting fears that the truce could collapse. Still, both sides quickly reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement, with Israeli forces later resuming ceasefire enforcement and Hamas reiterating its intent to uphold the deal.
Vance, alongside US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to push for the next phase of Trump’s 20-point peace plan. The proposal calls for an interim Palestinian government, an international stabilization force, Israeli troop withdrawal, and Hamas disarmament. Netanyahu maintained that security must remain a top priority, noting that “Israel is stronger than ever before.”
Humanitarian Relief and Diplomatic Momentum
The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) described maintaining the Gaza ceasefire progress as vital for humanitarian operations. Since the truce began, more than 6,700 tonnes of food have entered Gaza, feeding nearly half a million people. However, the agency warned that northern areas remain inaccessible due to closed crossings.
Meanwhile, Hamas has begun returning the bodies of deceased Israeli hostages. Thirteen of 28 have been recovered so far, alongside the release of 20 living captives in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Vance reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to peace, calling the truce “a foundation for a new chapter in the Middle East.” Trump echoed the sentiment on social media, declaring that “if Hamas acts badly, its end will be fast, furious, and brutal.”
As both sides weigh fragile progress against deep mistrust, the Gaza ceasefire progress represents a rare window for diplomacy in a conflict long defined by cycles of violence.
