The United States is stepping up diplomatic pressure on Hamas to honor the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, as Vice President JD Vance traveled to Israel to reinforce the truce brokered by former President Donald Trump. The visit comes amid renewed concerns over hostilities after a deadly incident in southern Gaza, highlighting the precarious nature of the current peace agreement.

Vice President JD Vance Arrives in Israel

On Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance boarded Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews en route to Israel, where he is expected to meet key American envoys, including Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner. Both were already in Tel Aviv and have been engaging with Israeli hostages recently released by Hamas after more than two years in captivity.

Vance is scheduled to meet with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem on Wednesday. According to reports from Israeli media, these discussions will focus on ensuring the continuation of the US-brokered truce, monitoring the security situation, and addressing the sensitive process of hostage and body recoveries.

Trump Warns Hamas Against Breaching the Truce

Former President Trump, speaking from the White House, reiterated his strong stance against any violations of the Gaza ceasefire. “They’ll be eradicated, and they know that,” Trump told reporters, referencing the potential consequences for Hamas if it undermines the agreement. Washington’s heightened diplomatic efforts follow Israel’s accusation that Hamas killed two Israeli soldiers on Saturday and delayed returning the bodies of hostages.

Qatar Criticizes Israel’s Actions

While the US urges calm, Qatar, another key mediator in the truce, criticized Israel for what Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called the “continued violation” of the ceasefire. Speaking to legislators, the Emir condemned Israeli practices in Gaza, emphasizing that the region has been rendered unfit for human life due to ongoing military operations.

Hamas Responds to Recent Clashes

Hamas has denied responsibility for the deadly Saturday clash in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. However, Israel’s military responded with a wave of bombings, reportedly resulting in 45 Palestinian fatalities according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s leader in Gaza, who is currently in Cairo for talks with mediators from Egypt and Qatar, expressed cautious optimism about the truce. “What we heard from the mediators and from the US President reassures us that the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip has ended,” al-Hayya stated.

Hostage Recovery Remains a Challenge

Hamas continues to prioritize the retrieval of the remaining 15 hostages held in Gaza. Al-Hayya noted that the extensive destruction in the territory due to years of conflict has made recovery efforts extremely difficult. “We face extreme difficulty in recovering the bodies and continue our efforts; we have said that we need advanced heavy equipment for search and recovery,” he said.

Despite the weekend violence, both Israel and Hamas have reaffirmed their commitment to the US-backed truce. Israel confirmed that Hamas returned the body of a deceased hostage on Monday, bringing the total to 13 out of the 28 pledged for release. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office emphasized: “We will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until we return all of the deceased hostages, every last one of them.”

Ceasefire Challenges and the “Yellow Line”

The ceasefire, which took effect on October 10, 2025, laid out a framework for hostage exchanges and proposed a roadmap for Gaza’s reconstruction and future stability. However, its implementation has faced immediate challenges.

Under Trump’s 20-point plan, Israeli forces have withdrawn beyond the so-called “Yellow Line,” a boundary demarcated with painted concrete blocks. While Israel maintains control over roughly half of Gaza, including its borders, key cities remain outside its direct control.

The ongoing conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has resulted in devastating human losses. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 68,216 people have been killed in Gaza, with over half of the fatalities being women and children. The initial 2023 attack by Hamas claimed 1,221 Israeli lives, mostly civilians, as recorded by AFP’s analysis of official Israeli data.

The Road Ahead

As Vice President Vance meets with Israeli leaders and US envoys, the international community continues to watch closely. The fragile Gaza truce, mediated by the US and supported by regional partners like Qatar and Egypt, remains under pressure from both political hardliners and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Ensuring compliance from Hamas and addressing Israel’s security concerns will be pivotal in maintaining stability and preventing further escalation in the region.